William Bill G Gaddis

North Yarmouth – William “Bill” Gaddis, 75, of North Yarmouth died as a result of an ultra-light accident on Sunday, June 24, 2012. He was born in Gary, IN, the son of Catherine (Pester) Gaddis and William E. Gaddis. Enlistment in the US Navy brought Bill to Brunswick Naval Air Station, and soon after he found true love with Marilyn Grover.

After his enlistment in the Navy ended, Bill began a civilian career in HVAC working at Pineland, Maine Medical Center, and Finard. Bill had an innate sense of the mechanical, was more than handy with tools, and “if it couldn’t be bought – he’d make it”. He built his first two ultra-lights but was too busy to build the third.

Bill loved rural life in North Yarmouth and being outdoors. Besides flying, he enjoyed four wheeling, boating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, motorcycling, camping, hiking, playing croquet, vegetable gardening, and taking his gun for a walk in the fall. Bill even perfected the art of napping under a tree.

Bill will be remembered for being a family man, always being there to help others when asked, for a certain fearlessness and obvious thrill seeking spirit. This contrasted remarkably with his private and quiet nature that was always ready to give a good tease and to show his true nature as a big softie, especially with animals.

Bill is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marilyn Gaddis; his son William "Wink" Gaddis; his daughter Melissa Napolitano and her husband Mark; his son James Gaddis and his partner Bruce Cramer; his daughter Kathryn Balzer and her husband Chris; and seven grandchildren: Nick and Amanda Stewart; Audrey, Cameron and Rachel Balzer; Hunter Gaddis; and Nadia Napolitano; as well as a large extended family of friends.

Funeral services were private and burial took place in Walnut Hill Cemetery in North Yarmouth.