William A. Holland

William Alexander Holland Jr., 89, of Wells, formerly of Sanford, passed away on December, 8th at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford. "Bill" as he was known to everyone, was born at his family home in Springvale on April 16th, 1932.Bill was preceded by his wife of 45 years, Marian (Scott) Holland, grandson Alexander Holland, father William A. Holland, mother Viola (Ridlon) Holland, and sister Arline Brown. He is survived by his sister Loreta (Emile) Provencher, sons Scott (Kim) Holland and Jason (Karalyn) Holland and his daughter Alison (Ray) Gagnon. He was also the proud grandfather to Corey (Dannielle) Holland and great grandfather ("GG") to Mason & Jack Holland.Bill had a long and fulfilling life. He attended Sanford schools and graduated from Sanford High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he spent the next 20 years stationed all over the world. His duties were varied, and his station posts far-reaching. He found himself in Texas, Maryland, Greenland, England, and California to name a few. Although he traveled the world in his time with the Air Force, his favorite stop by far was in England where he met and married the love of his life, Marian, a native of Nottingham. He and Marian moved to the States and settled in Sanford where they raised their three children. After retirement from the Air Force, Bill worked as a dispatcher for McLean Trucking and then proudly concluded his working career with 25 years of service as an emergency dispatcher for the Sanford Police Department. He was exceedingly proud of his service with law enforcement and cherished the friends he made there.He loved sports and was an avid Patriots, Celtics, and Yankees fan. He was proud of his independence in his later years and continued to drive his entire life, even volunteering for Meals on Wheels well into his 80's.Bill was kind, compassionate and generous with his time. A caring father and devoted husband, he lived his life for his family and would gladly inconvenience himself to make others' lives easier. All that were privileged enough to meet him were a little better because of it.He will be dearly missed by friends and family, but they take solace that he is finally reunited with his wife Marian and grandson Alex."To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas CampbellVisiting hours will be held on Saturday, December 18th from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. with a funeral service at 3:00. P.M.at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale. To leave a message of condolence click on William's Tribute Page.For those unable to attend in person, Williams service will be streamed on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pg/blackfuneralhomes/posts/