William G. Afthim

William G. "Billy" Afthim, 81Westbrook, Maine-William George "Billy" Afthim, 81, died peacefully on January 26, 2015 at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts. He had resided there bravely with Alzheimer's disease for over 4 years. A New Year's Eve baby, he was born on December 31, 1933. His parents were Marguerite and William Afthim who, during their 59 year marriage, proudly raised Billy and his 12 siblings in a French-Canadian neighborhood in the mill town of Westbrook, Maine. Billy was named for his father and shared his father's work ethic and love of music. Both his parents died one month apart in 1980.Billy was a 1952 graduate of Westbrook High School and a parishioner of St.Hyacinth Church, now St. Anthony of Padua. Billy, worked at the S.D.Warren Paper Company for 42 years. While living in Westbrook, he was known for his love of antique cars and owned a number of them. After his retirement, preferring sunshine to snow, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he lived for more than 10 years. In Maine and in Arizona, his nickname was "Dollar Bill/Ringmaker." He was known for making finger rings or necklaces fashioned from $1, $10 or $20 bills for his family and close friends. In addition to his love of cars, he enjoyed dancing and often accompanied his youngest sister, Constance "Connie" at her many high school reunions; she was 10 years younger. Billy felt younger women were more willing to dance away the evenings. He served 2 years active military duty in the U.S. Army in the mid 1950s and in the National Guard for many years following; militarily, he followed in the footsteps of his siblings, brothers Rudy, Philip and Arthur and sister Gloria Afthim. He was also a member of the American Legion in Scottsdale, Arizona, and transferred his membership to the Dudley Gendron American Legion in Sutton where his sister Connie lives.Billy was predeceased by a sister, Gloria Afthim, who died at 57 of MS in 1989, and brothers Rudolphe "Rudy" Afthim, who died at 68 in 1997, and Donald Afthim who died with dementia at 83 in November of 2014; all of whom lived in Westbrook.He leaves a son, William "Billy, Jr." Afthim of Diamond Bar, California who visited him in Massachusetts, Maine and Arizona. He is also survived by his sisters Marie Joyce of Eliot, Maine, Lorraine Afthim, a frequent visitor at the Veterans Home, Jeanne McKenney and Joan Jackson, all of Westbrook, Maine: Elaine LaBrie of Bangor and Constance "Connie" Dwyer of Sutton, Massachusetts. He also leaves his brothers, Arthur Afthim of Las Vegas, Nevada, Philip Afthim of Westbrook and Michael Afthim of South Portland, Maine. In addition, he leaves two cousins, Sandra & John Gagnon of Lyman, Maine, and Maurice & Barbara Menard of Saco, Maine, and 20 nieces and nephews. Nephews Liam Reddy of Hopedale, Massachusetts, and Paul Reddy, Jr. of Natick, Massachusetts, with their father, Paul Reddy, Sr. also of Natick and mother, Connie Dwyer, frequently visited Billy at the Veterans Home.Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 PM with funeral prayers at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 31st at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale, Maine. Interment, with military honors, weather permitting, will take place at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 2nd at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale, Maine. Billy's family would like to express their deep gratitude for the loving care he received at the Bedford, Massachusetts, Veterans Home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider making a memorial contribution in Billy's memory to the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road, 62 AB (Alzheimer's Unit), Bedford, MA 01730-1198. In writing a check, please note 62AB in the memo.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale with the assistance of Billy's cousin John Gagnon.To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.blackfuneralhomes.com.