William’s Obituary William E. Crowell, Jr., 69, of South Portland passed away on January 17, 2019 at Gosnell Hospice House after many years of declining health. Born October 28, 1949 to William E. and Mary Ellen Reynolds Crowell in Buffalo, Bill spent his early childhood years in East Aurora, New York. The family moved to the San Fernando Valley of California where Bill graduated from Granada Hills High School.
The Vietnam War and the active draft prompted Bill to enlist in the U.S. Navy where he served as a boiler technician on the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. Following his Navy commitment, Bill moved to his father’s home state of Maine and enjoyed a special relationship with his Grandmother Elizabeth and an appreciation for his father’s extended family. Bill spent most of his working years as a greenskeeper at Purpoodock Country Club in Cape Elizabeth, and the Portsmouth Country Club.
When physical disabilities forced him to leave that work, he completed training in bookkeeping and data entry and discovered an aptitude for computers. He eventually became fully disabled and returned to the Portland area to be near his parents and sister. Bill was a talented model builder with an interest in historic planes and ships of World War II.
He had model train layouts for most of his life. His N-gauge layouts were especially intricate and he commandeered his sister’s basement to build the expanding train yards. When he was no longer able to manage the trains, he built a small scene for a collection of cast metal construction models.
Bill was able to share his computer skills through volunteer work for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Scarborough Public Library. Bill also helped his neighbors in the Mill Cove apartments sort out computer questions or write emails and correspondence. It was in the computer room 18 years ago that Bill met his cherished partner Eileen Gray.
Bill showed the caring and gentle side of his nature in his loving partnership with Eileen. Bill was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his companion Eileen Gray and his sister Nancy E. Crowell of South Portland.
Also, his sister Elizabeth and her husband Richard R. Howe, nephew Richard R. Howe, Jr., his four children, Amanda, Andrew, Melody, and Alexander, all of Short Hills, NJ. Interment and a graveside service will be held at Black Point Cemetery, Scarborough, later in the year. Arrangements are under the care of Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd.
, South Portland. Memorial donations may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
