William Gammon Lindquist

William Gammon Lindquist obituary, Sanibel, FL

William Gammon Lindquist

William Lindquist Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 24, 2024.
Sanibel - William Gammon Lindquist passed away July 11, 2024 with his loving wife, Diane, by his side. Bill was born in Lewiston, Maine, on July 3, 1929, to Richard Leonard Lindquist and Gladys Rachel (Gammon) Lindquist. HIs father was a first generation Swedish-American (whose parents had both immigrated from Sweden) and his mother had deep roots in Maine (the Libbeys and the Gammons). Bill was a proud Mainer and Swede.

Bill graduated from Governor Dummer Academy (now known as the Governor's Academy) in Byfield, Massachusetts in 1948. He loved GDA, the friends he made and the teachers and coaches who helped shape his future. He then attended the University of Maine where he played football for 4 years and was a proud member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. It was at the University of Maine that he met his future wife, Dorris Mayne. Bill and Dorrie were devoted lifelong active members of the University of Maine Class of 1952. Bill was a 1980 recipient of the University's "Block M Award" recognizing his deep commitment to his alumni class. In September of last year, Bill was inducted into the University of Maine's Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1951 Football Team, which won the Yankee Conference Championship that year. Bill was also a member of UMaine's ROTC program. With the war ongoing in Korea, upon graduation he was assigned to Fort Benning in Georgia. He and Dorrie were married in the base chapel. He was soon reassigned to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington where he trained troops being deployed to Korea. Bill was commissioned as a second lieutenant and obtained the rank of first lieutenant. Bill's military service was a source of pride his entire life.

Bill and Dorrie's first daughter, Linda, was born at the base hospital in Tacoma.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army they returned home to Maine where they welcomed their second daughter, Leslie. Bill and Dorrie provided their daughters with wonderful childhood experiences and memories, most of which revolved in and around the Maine Woods. They were "at camp" whenever possible. With the exception of his time in the Army, Bill spent every summer of his life experiencing, enjoying and loving the Maine woods.

Bill was president of W.H. Gammon Company in Lewiston from 1955 to 1976. His grandfather founded the company in 1909 and it manufactured wooden fixtures for retail stores. He served as a director on the boards of Northeast Bank and Peoples Bank (serving Peoples as it's Board chairman) in Lewiston for many years. Upon retirement he and Dorrie began dividing their time between the Rangeley region in Maine and Sanibel Island in Florida. They loved to travel and spend time with family and friends. Dorrie passed away in 2012 just after they celebrated 59 years of marriage. Bill was a devoted and loving caregiver in her final years.

In 2015 he would find love again. He and Diane Badalich were introduced by their mutual friend, Martha, and friendship quickly turned to love. They were married in November of 2016 in front of family and close friends and began a wonderful adventure together. Both their worlds expanded and as they often said, "two lonely people were lonely no more". Diane visited Maine for the first time and enjoyed many summers there. Bill joined Diane's large family and he soon found himself enjoying family gatherings and reunions centered in Wisconsin. They created a wonderful life together at their home on Sanibel Island. Diane was by his side always but never more so as in his final weeks and months as cancer took its toll.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Diane Lindquist. His daughters, Linda Fuller (Bob) of Cumberland Foreside. Maine and Leslie McMullin (Steve) of Ashland, Virginia and Kennebago, Maine. His grandchildren Emily Carroll (Mark) of Crozet, Virginia, Kyle McMullin (Lynn) of Newport News, Virginia and William Fuller (Ally) of Cumberland Foreside, Maine, and great-grandchidren Austin and Andrew Carroll, Caroline and Nate McMullin and Kit Fuller. His step children Jeff Badalich (Seana) of Madison, Wisconsin, Gregg Badalich (Kelly) of Thiensville, Wisconsin, Stephanie Jackson (Tim) of Shoreview, Minnesota, and Paul Badalich (Jane Heisel) of Anchorage, Alaska, and step-grandchildren Alina Badalich of San Francisco, California, Dante Badalich of Duluth, Minnesota and Jackson (Natalie) Badalich of Coloma, Michigan, Connor (Emma) and Logan Badalich of Denver, Colorado, Garrett (Kali) Badalich of Menasha, Wisconsin, Luke and Audrey Jackson of Shoreview, Minnesota and Johanna and William Badalich of Anchorage, Alaska.

Bill is also survived by his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Ron (Joanne) Maerz of Deerfield, Wisconsin, Arthur (Jan) Maerz, Edgerton, Wisconsin, Joseph (Sue) Maerz of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Leon (Barbara) Maerz of Evansville, Wisconsin, Michael (Bonnie) Maerz, Stoughton, Wisconsin, Lois Robinson of Janesville, Wisconsin, Barbara (David) Nennig, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Susan Clark of Stoughton, Wisconsin, Carol (Tom) Murray of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Mary Jo (David) Seiter of Phoenix, Arizona, the late Wayne (Sandra) Maerz of Stoughton, Wisconsin, the late Cliff (Patty) Maerz of Stoughton, Wisconsin, and the late Dennis (Sue) Maerz of Stoughton, Wisconsin.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hope Hospice, Hope Development Department, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL, 33908 or visit MoreHope.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign William Lindquist's Guest Book

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August 11, 2024

Martha Smith posted to the memorial.

August 8, 2024

Ronni Valenz posted to the memorial.

July 31, 2024

Tom & Carol Murray posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Martha Smith

August 11, 2024

I first met Bill during the time when his daughter Leslie and her husband Steve purchased a condo in Fort Myers. Leslie and Steve could not make it to the inspection so her father, Bill along with daughter Linda attended. What a treat it was to meet them both. As I learned more about Bill I realized what a wonderful gentleman he was but also a little lonely. He was fiercely independent, self-reliant like an Eagle Scout. But so handsome, active, and kind. Diane and I were friends and she registered in the same categories...attractive, independent, active...but had no special someone in her life. So I immediately thought of the two of them enjoying time together. Little did I know they would hit it off so beautifully. They fell in wonderful love and together they cherished every minute of life together. They thanked me often for introducing them and a new name for Bill emerged...Sweet William. Such a wonderful soul, kind, generous with his spirit and all while expressing himself with a twinkle in his eyes. We visited Maine and enjoyed learning about his life there. Lake Kennebago was such soothing place for Sweet William and he was so delighted to share it with Diane and his many friends, neighbors, and family. While visiting we ventured out into the mountains one day and Sweet William reached down and got me a small piece of granite rock which sits on our dresser and is a daily reminder of this wonderful man. His family will miss him dearly as will his friends. We will be here for Diane as she heals from this loss and we will remember the great times enjoyed together. And that fun-loving sense of humor and a great story-teller. The list goes on. We loved you, Sweet William.

Ronni Valenz

August 8, 2024

I met Mr Lindquist through my stepfather Walter. Mr Lindquist was ALWAYS the kindest man! I recently took my mom Shirley to visit Bill and Diane in Sanibel. I had as much fun as the 3 of them! I love to hear the stories and I feel honored to make new memories that day with Bill and Diane. A true gentlemen! You will be missed tremendously by MANY!

Tom & Carol Murray

July 31, 2024

Always enjoyed, and will always remember, the many 10 day trips in February spent with William and Diane. Many mornings eating breakfast on the porch in Sanibel. Listening to his many , very interesting, stories! Loved when they'd come stay with us in Wisconsin!! Though he hated play games, he humored us by playing Sequence once and awhile. He was such a wonderful person, so honored to know him! Watching him with Diane was always so special, so much love! We will miss him!

Shirley Bembridge

July 29, 2024

William and I both had the same dark sense of humor which would send us roaring while my husband Walt who was Bill's friend, would be so upset with us, Walt would shake his head and William and I would just laugh more. Sadly Walt passed in December of 2020 but we enjoyed so many memorable times with William and Dorrie. Dorrie passed and fortunately Diane came into his life and William was happy again. Diane has lost a great love. Linda and Leslie have lost a wonderful father. William was a gentleman, a very special man, a man I have had the privilege to know and call friend. To Diane and William's family, while there is much grief now, the sadness will slowly fade away and be replaced by all the happy memories. Prayers for you all.

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Sign William Lindquist's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 11, 2024

Martha Smith posted to the memorial.

August 8, 2024

Ronni Valenz posted to the memorial.

July 31, 2024

Tom & Carol Murray posted to the memorial.