William P McKay

12/18/45- 9/2/14

P.Q.-CANADA- Bill McKay, one of the most wonderful human beings God ever created died in a plane crash September 2nd, 2014 in the province of Quebec just north of the St. Lawrence River on his way back to Maine. His daughter, Katherine Turner and husband/“son” in-law, Michael Turner, who survived the crash, were with Bill returning home from another memorable fishing trip that was one of the great loves of Bill McKay’s life. Katie said, “Dad’s last challenge was saving their lives which he miraculously did.”

Bill was born in Skowhegan, Maine December 18th, 1945 and was raised lovingly, adventurously and life altering in West Forks, Maine. His Dad, Chester McKay taught Bill everything about the great outdoors and how to fly fish, hunt, trap and appreciate these parts of their heritage. Bill’s Dad was well known for being a great fly fisherman and hunter. His mom, Joan McKay and Dad were Bill’s example of leading a life filled with all the things that really mattered; God, the beauty and adventures of the great outdoors and family and friends. Bill cherished all of these every second of his life and never took any one of them for granted.

Bill looked at everyday as a privilege to make a difference from his early years to the day he died.

His schooling consisted of elementary years at West Forks (a multi grade one room schoolhouse) to Bingham, ME where he graduated from High School as President of his class. Over the years at Bingham High Bill loved to play baseball and was often seen hitchhiking up Route 201 to get home from practice and games. He never had to thumb for long.

Summers he did a majority of different challenging things from leaving home at an early age to work and live on a farm in Clinton to later working with the geological survey that took him all over the country where he would travel by horseback, hike and camp under the biggest skies this great country had to offer. This is where he met Edwin Post who was the head of the geological teams and turned into one of Bill’s most cherished friends. It is said Ed would pull strings to keep getting Bill back on the survey as Ed could trust Bill’s ability in the woods and also his easy going happy outlook.

Bill attended and put himself through college at the University of Maine at Farmington from 1964 to 1968 where he worked several jobs and was also a dorm proctor. He was a fraternity brother in Kappa Delta Phi, played soccer on the inaugural teams at Farmington and took full advantage of all his college years had to offer. He received his Bachelor of Science which led to his teaching years.

As a teacher living in Portland, Maine after college he still wanted to accomplish more. Bill decided to join the Navy as an officer in the flight training program. This took him to Pensacola Navy Academy in Florida. With rigorous training and determination Bill exceled to the top of his PT class, a true specimen, and graduated with less than 20 men out of close to 80 who started out. From here flying became a constant outlet and one of his true loves in life. He truly loved flying and did it with the same zest he had for life- with a passion few are lucky enough to have for anything. At Pensacola he met some incredible people and two of his favorites were Terry and Jean Potter. He graduated from flight school from beginning to end with Terry Potter and the memories and times he spent with him were some of his most cherished.

After Pensacola and the discontinuation of the flight program Bill McKay made his way back home to West Forks in September of 1970 to decide what he wanted to do for the next part of his life. He started working at a newly opened ski mountain just north of West Forks in Coburn Gore called Enchanted Mountains as their marketing person along with anything else they needed done again giving it his all. He was also an incredible skier and a member of the national ski patrol. Aside from wearing many hats at this new ski destination he also substitute taught at this time at his alma mater, Bingham High School.

While at home during this time Bill met “the school Marm” Brenda Elaine Pillsbury, who was teaching in the one room school house in West Forks; the same one room school house Bill attended a few decades before. Brenda had graduated from Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA with a teaching degree and took on the rather harrowing assignment that this small northern Maine logging town had to offer. Through a beautiful courtship (snowmobiling, snowshoeing, enjoying nature, family and friends) she caught him hook, line and sinker and they married October 21st, 1972. It was 42 years of loving each other, children, traveling and as Bill would always say, “Don’t have a bad day, and if you do; make sure there aren’t two!!”

His whole family, McKay’s and Pillsbury’s, respected him so much. He was always there through bad times, hard times and the good times with his unconditional love and support.

Throughout his life friendships abounded… As some people have said, “Bill never met a stranger…”

And here we have to mention a few of his favorites. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas VonIderstein (college friends of Brenda from ENC); Bill and Doug truly did become “brothers”. Travelling with the families in the islands and Costa Rica to several “once in a lifetime” fishing trips they did together to places from Russia to Patagonia. Also Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Millett- business ventures, fun times and family interests they thrived on each other’s loyalty and enthusiasm for life… Mr. Gordon Berry, his partner in crime in the West Forks area, where they simply enjoyed each other’s company, all the time reveling in each other’s heritage. Mr. John Brochu, a childhood friend who he was able to grow with and share so many fun times. Allen Lewis, a local Oakland man who is the father of one of Bill’s son Cameron’s lifelong friends Eric and through the years became as good of friends with Bill as the boys had. He helped to raise “the boys” (including Michael Spolyar) but has said many times that Bill was his mentor in life. No one was more willing to pull off a last minute snowmobiling, hunting or fishing trip than Allen Lewis and Bill always appreciated every trip with Al. So many more friendships that can’t all be mentioned but the list goes on and all are so sacred and important to what made Bill the happy man that he was in his life here. To all of his college friends, business acquaintances, hunting and fishing buddies, you know who you are and he thanks you and you know he will be with you when you wet that line, line up that shot or look for guidance from here out in life.

Another milestone in Bill’s life was meeting Dana Caswell- neither one realized the impact they would have on each other’s life. Together they made Caswell’s Liquidation Center a very well established business and success story in the Waterville and Lewiston area. Again Bill gave 100 percent plus… doing whatever Caswell’s needed to grow. It was a 30 year plus partnership and Bill enjoyed every challenge it created and appreciated every door it opened for him and his family.

Bill was also very civic minded, always stepping up to the plate for his community. He was on the planning board in Oakland for many years, coached little league baseball in Oakland throughout his children’s years in the program. Attended all school functions both sport oriented and academic and did it all with love and enthusiasm.

His recent interests included volunteering to be on the committee to build a new Waterville Homeless Shelter. He also donated generously to the Boys and Girls Club in Waterville and the new Alfond Medical Center in Augusta.

Bill McKay was predeceased by his parents Chester and Joan McKay and a sister Mona Stromberg; they were “best friends” their whole lives.

Surviving family are his wife Brenda McKay, children Cameron and Jessica McKay, Katie and Mike Turner; all of Oakland. His grandchildren; Rylee, Grace and Baby William- Cameron’s children and the light of Bill’s life and his grandchildren Brooke and Ross; Katie’s children…

Bill was so close to both of his children and supported them in everything they wanted to do… His ability to sort things out, give advice and just love his family was amazing.

He was also survived by his precious family: Randon and Dani McKay of Waterville, Nic and Merlene Ambulos of Skowhegan, Bill and Terry Violette of Waterville, Farren and Nela of Longwood, Florida, Roger and Chris Pillsbury of Belgrade, Bud and Diane Mosher of Temple and John and Debra Grant of Summerfield, Florida, also, several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins who he loved dearly.

We loved him so and he will be missed for all of our days here.

God bless all who knew and loved him.

A mass, graveside ceremony and celebration of life will be announced and held when right for the family and all who knew Bill will be welcome. The timeframe on the ceremonies is undetermined at this time but plenty of notice will be given, thanks for everyone’s understanding.

If a donation would like to be made in William P. McKay’s honor please send to the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter of Waterville. The address is Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter, 19 Colby St., Waterville, ME 04901 and the phone number is (207) 872-8082. Thank you.