Norris W. Stilphen

Norris W. Stilphen, 91, of Sanford, Maine, passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at the Varney Crossing Nursing Home in North Berwick, Maine. He was born in Sanford on February 28, 1919, a son of the late Edward W. and Lillie M. (Fielding) Stilphen.Norris was a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono with degrees in Public Management and Civil Engineering. He served as the Town Manager of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Ipswich, Massachusetts and Deerfield, Illinois, the latter for twenty years. During his time in Illinois he also served on the Department of Transportation Advisory Board, Northern Illinois Police Crime Lab Commission, and was a member of Retired Officer Association.Prior to his public service, Norris served in the U.S. Army. He was Squadron Commander for the Aerial Debarkation Hospital in Hempstead, New York. He was a graduate and teacher for the Army Command and General Staff College at the University of Chicago. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel.In his retirement years he mentored Maine Managers in York, Oxford and Franklin Counties. He volunteered for the Service Corps of Retired Executives. He served as interim manager for Wells, Maine; was a board member for the Visiting Nurses Service of Southern Maine, prepared taxes for the elderly at the Sanford Library, and traveled with Gladys. His philosophy was that it is better to wear out than to rust out.Norris is predeceased by his wife of 62 years.He is survived by three daughters, Nancy (William) Deans of Acton, Maine, Elizabeth (Thomas) Yancey of College Station, Texas, Patricia (Mark) Hill of Rochester, New York, four grandsons, three granddaughters, and six great grandchildren, two nephews, Nathan Howgate of Springvale and Barry Howgate of North Yarmouth.The family wishes to thank everyone at the Varney Crossing Nursing Care Center in North Berwick for their steadfast support and their help for Norris.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to the Visiting Nurses, 15 Industrial Park Road, Saco, Maine 04072 or to the American Legion Deerfield Post, 849 Waukegan Road Deerfield, Illinois 60015.A funeral service and burial with military honors will take place in the spring.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, ME.Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfunearlhomes.com.