William G. Afthim

1933 - 2015

William George "Billy" Afthim, 81
SUTTON, Mass. & Westbrook - William George "Billy" Afthim, 81 of Sutton, Mass., died peacefully on Jan. 26, 2015, at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Mass. He had resided there bravely with Alzheimer's disease for over four years.
Billy was born on Dec. 31, 1933, to 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.
Billy graduated from Westbrook High School in 1952 and was a parishioner of St. Hyacinth Church. He worked at the S.D.Warren Paper Company for 42 years.
He was known for his fascination for antique cars. After his retirement, he moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., where he lived for more than 10 years. In addition to his love of cars, he enjoyed dancing and often accompanied his youngest sister, Constance "Connie" to her many high school reunions.
Billy served two 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 father, and siblings, brothers Rudy, Philip and Arthur and sister Gloria Afthim. He was also a member of the American Legion in Scottsdale, Ariz., and transferred his membership to the Dudley Gendron American Legion in Sutton, while he resided there with his sister Connie. Connie brought him back east from Arizona to live with her and her husband Jim in Sutton, Mass., in 2009.
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, Calif., who visited him in Massachusetts, Maine and Arizona. He is also survived by his sisters Marie Joyce of Eliot, Lorraine Afthim, a frequent visitor at the Veterans Home, Jeanne McKenney and Joan Jackson, all of Westbrook, Elaine LaBrie of Bangor, and Constance "Connie" Dwyer of Sutton, Mass. He also leaves his brothers, Arthur Afthim of Las Vegas, Nev., Philip Afthim of Westbrook, and Michael Afthim of South Portland. In addition, he leaves two cousins, Sandra & John Gagnon of Lyman, and Maurice and Barbara Menard of Saco; and 20 nieces and nephews.
Nephews Liam Reddy of Hopedale, Mass., and Paul Reddy, Jr. of Natick, Mass., 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 1-3 p.m., with funeral prayers at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale. Interment, with military honors, weather permitting, will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Springvale.
Billy's family would like to express their deep gratitude for the loving care he received at the Bedford, Mass. Veterans Home. 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.

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, Mass. 01730-1198
In writing a check,
please note 62AB in the memo.