William L. Maher

SALEM - William Lloyd Maher, 76, passed peacefully on April 2, 2012. He was born in Waterloo, Iowa to Lloyd E. and Myrtle (Bolt) Maher. He graduated from West Waterloo High School in 1954, Iowa State Teachers College in 1958 and received his Masters in Education from Oregon College of Education in 1965.

After graduating from college, Bill and his wife moved to Gervais, Oregon where he began his career at Gervais Union High School, teaching English, Science and coaching the track team. In 1961 they moved to Salem, and for the next 30 years Bill taught English and Social Studies at Parrish Middle School – where he was a perennial favorite with his students.

On Christmas Day in 1961, Bill became a father, his proudest moment. Bill obtained his private pilot’s license in 1970 to pursue his love of flying and spent many weekends flying throughout the Pacific Northwest. Bill also loved the outdoors and was an avid skier, boater, fisherman and camper. He was an accomplished trumpet player, and also appreciated nice cars (especially convertibles), fast motorcycles and Broadway musicals. He believed that his day was not complete unless he finished the NY Times crossword puzzle and then met his circle of friends at Pete’s Place.

Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Todd & Patti Maher; his former wife Nancy Maher; favorite aunt Helen Woock; niece Susan Wylie Hadland; nephew Scott Wylie and dear friends, Martin and Nancy Johnson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, much-loved sister Jean Marie (Maher) Wylie, and cherished grandson Todd Michael Maher.

Private interment will be held at Belcrest Memorial Park. Friends are invited to a celebration of his life on Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 1 to 5 pm at the Salem Elks Lodge at 2336 Turner Road SE, Salem, OR. Arrangements by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home.

Bill will be missed greatly by all who knew him.