Biddeford – William J. Audie, Jr., 78, made his transition and peacefully passed away on October 23, 2018 from complications of metastatic cancer. His family takes comfort in knowing that this very day would have been his 48th wedding anniversary, and he is now together again with his beloved wife, Helen, and in a better place. William, known as “Bill” to the many whom knew and loved him, was born on February 28, 1940 in Biddeford, Maine, the son of William J. Audie and Marie Anne (Larouche) Audie.
Bill grew up in Biddeford, along with his three brothers and sister, and enjoyed a childhood spent with parents who cherished him and siblings who were always by his side. His most precious and fond memories of childhood were the many, many summers spent at Pine Tree Camp in Rome, Maine, and he remained very close to several of the friends he met there. Bill attended St. Louis High School, and spent much of his time playing the sousaphone in the St. Louis marching band.
He graduated in 1957, and attended St. Francis College for two years before leaving school in 1959. He became a traveling salesman for many years, and would later tell stories of how much he enjoyed it, and loved meeting new people and seeing new places. His real love, though, was music and he was very talented.
In 1961, Bill joined three close friends and their band, “The Swing Kings,” where he played the bass fiddle for several years, performing at many local gigs. The Swing Kings broke up when one of the band members moved away. In 1964, Bill and his very dear friend and fellow Swing King, Dick Anastasoff, along with another musician, formed the “Dick Anastasoff Quartet,” with Bill on bass fiddle, now playing regular, nightly gigs at several local summertime resorts.
It was here that he would meet the love of his life, Helen, and in 1970, they were married. Bill then began his career with the Maine Department of Human Services. He was a devoted, caring and compassionate case worker who spent his days helping people in need.
After thirty years, he retired and enjoyed life with his wife Helen, until her death in 2009. Bill spent the next years devoted to his family, his church, St. Joseph’s in Biddeford, and to the hundreds of cancer patients he volunteered to help, driving to and from numerous medical appointments, and keeping them company. He loved spending time with friends and loved playing cribbage.
He also rediscovered his love of music, joining two musical groups that would become very, very dear to him, and to his family. The members of the Tri-City Community Chorus and members of the Harbour Singers welcomed Bill into their singing groups, and many became close friends and would be a great support for him through the many, many, months of illness he would endure. He will be dearly missed by his six children, David Dyer, Russell Dyer and his wife Mary, both of Austin, Texas, Brian Dyer and his wife Karen of Old Orchard Beach, Jeffrey Dyer and his wife Brenda of Kennebunk, Lisa Packard and her husband Tim of Biddeford, and Lenora Audie of Saco; eight grandchildren, Keith, Jason, Megan, Brooke, Jared, Breanna, Hannah and Cayte; and four great-grandchildren, Amelia, Hailey, Kingsley, and Bentley.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Helen, his brothers Fernand (Red), Normand, and Richard Audie, and his sister, Jeanine. Bill will always be remembered as a kind and compassionate gentleman, and a loving father who was always, always there for his children and his entire family. He was so funny and so witty, an absolute joy just to be around.
His two daughters will so greatly cherish the time they were able to spend with their dad particularly in this last year. His family will miss so many things about him, his smile, sense of humor, loud holiday outfits, his steadfast support and love. The family would like to thank NE Cancer Specialists, and most especially, Dr. Matthew Dugan, Arlene Damon, Meredith and Leah in the treatment room, and the many others who cared for our father every week and the exceptional kindness they always gave.
Thank you to Dr. Cathel MacLeod at MMP Surgical Care Casco Bay. And a very special thank you to Dr. Alan Potyk at SMHC, who has become just like one of the family. And, lastly, the angels at Gosnell Memorial House: Lydia, Polly and Michael who cared for our father like he was their own.
A private service for family and friends will be held at a later date. Memorial donations in memory of Bill Audie may be made to: Pine Tree Camp c/o Pine Tree Society 149 Front St. Bath, ME 04530 or Gosnell Memorial Hospice House 11 Hunnewell Rd.
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