Willard Reid "Bill, Bubba" Norsworthy

PRESQUE ISLE - With loving family and friends at his side at The Aroostook Medical Center, Presque Isle, Willard "Bill" "Bubba" Reid Norsworthy, 56, of Chapman left us Dec. 30, 2009, to scout the terrain ahead and prepare the gourmet shore-lunch for when we all catch up to him later. Born Dec. 18, 1953, to Willard A. and Barbara (Rogers) Norsworthy of Presque Isle, he is survived by his highschool sweetheart and wife of 34 1/2 years, Remillie (Good) Norsworthy; sister, Julianna Palmer and brother-in-law, Robert; nephews, Andrew and Daniel Duprey and Daniel's wife, Rebecca; great-nephews, Benjamin and Alexander Duprey; parents-in-law, Franklin "Reb" and Mildred Good, all from Presque Isle; a special aunt and uncle, Elizabeth (Rogers) and James Hudson of Aroostook Junction, New Brunswick; a sister-in-law, Kim Stout of East Syracuse, N.Y.; his Maine Public Service family, many dear cousins and close friends; and his canine "children," Jag, Gabby and Sable. He was predeceased by his parents; and brother-in-law, Richard P. Duprey. Billy Norsworthy was a 1972 graduate of Presque Isle High School, and holder of science degrees from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of New Brunswick/Fredericton. He had been employed by the Maine Geological Survey, Cyr construction, Goldsmith's Sporting Goods, and, for 27 years, Maine Public Service Co., where he had been a systems operator for the past 22 years. The staff in systems operation became a true second family. A lifelong competitor, Bill won the Voice of Democracy essay and speaking contest, and was scouted as a catcher by the Philadelphia Phillies while in high school. He later helped earn state championships twice in men's slow-pitch softball, and won state titles several times in various disciplines of trapshooting and sporting clays. He held the national classifications of Distinguished Expert with air rifle and Expert with handgun and .22 rifle. In addition to being a communicant of St. John's Episcopal Church, he was a member of Presque Isle Fish & Game Club, Hermon Skeet Club, Yankee and Sebasticook chapters of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, Sportsman's Alliance of Maine, National Rifle Association, Phippsburg Sportsmen's Association, Ducks Unlimited and B.A.S.S. Bubba was an avid shooter, fisherman and hunter of both waterfowl and upland birds, especially over dogs. Always ready with a fitting quip or quote, he delighted in the many friendships he made in the field and on water, at shooting events and when working with gun dogs of all types and their handlers, as well as when spending time at the camper in Winthrop. Celebrations of his life and friendships will take place at calling hours 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Church Street, Presque Isle. A funeral service and a Mass of celebration will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Second Street, Presque Isle. A sympathy tea at the church will be after the service. In honor of Bill's love of the outdoors, attendees to either event are invited to wear attire suited to hunting, dog training, fishing or other leisure activities. Committal will take place in the spring at Fairmount Cemetery, Presque Isle. Those who wish to donate to charities of Bill's choice may do so to C-A-N-C-E-R, Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery, P.O. Box 811, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or the Kenny King/Bob Bisson Youth Outdoor Scholarship Fund, care of Yankee NAVHDA Treasurer, 37 Eider Lane, Topsham, ME 04086.Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.