Eliot, ME – William (Bill) C. Mewer, 76, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, July 27 at Watson Fields Assisted Living Facility in Dover, N.H.

He was born in Biddeford, ME on May 25, 1943, the son of Roland and Doris (Cruiser) Mewer.

Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years Phyllis Mewer of Eliot and their children; Richard Mewer and wife Alyssa of York, ME; Alison Mewer Cowan and husband Adam of Saratoga Springs, NY. He also leaves four grandchildren; Nola, Wylder, and Elsie Mewer, Eliana Cowan, and a sister; Katheryn Jobe of Houston, TX.

Bill spent his early years in Kennebunk, ME until his father took over the family business in Old Orchard Beach when he was in middle school. After graduating from Old Orchard Beach High School in 1961 Bill went to college. His first year was at the University of Southern Maine before transferring to The University of Maine at Orono. Bill spent his college summers down by the Old Orchard Beach pier making and selling candy. In May of 1965, Bill earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Maine and took a job at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. At the time the Shipyard was slated to close in a couple of years, but he took the job to gain experience while not having to leave the state. The Shipyard closure order was lifted and he continued to work there for 29 years until retiring in July of 1994, at the age of 51. While at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Bill worked as a mechanical engineer in the Combat Systems and Mechanical Systems Divisions. He then went on to work for the Planning Yard for the 594 and 637 class of submarines and Submarine Rescue Chambers.

On September 7 ^th 1974 Bill married Phyllis Worcester in Columbia, ME. After a brief period of living and working in Washington DC for the Shipyard they settled in Eliot, ME. They raised their two children Ricky and Alison in a quiet neighborhood amongst a wonderful close-knit community of neighbors.

Initially after retiring from the Shipyard Bill spent time with his teenage children. Eventually he returned to work part time at the Eliot Boat Basin, grading standardized exams, and becoming a tax preparer. Bill spent several years volunteering at local libraries helping people prepare their tax returns and then worked 11 years for H&R Block as an Enrolled Agent tax preparer.

Many wonderful memories were had on family vacations whether it was the annual camping trip, raking blueberries in Downeast Maine, or trips to Disney World. He particularly enjoyed moose hunting having participated in five successful moose hunts with his family. He was a loyal New England Patriots fan since the team's inception. Bill was very proud and supportive of his daughter's interest in dancing. He was a reliable and constant presence when his son undertook the challenge of building his own home. Bill was a very proud and doting grandfather who would light up when telling stories about his grandchildren. Most recently he and his wife took up bee keeping which he greatly enjoyed.

Services: Visiting hours will be from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday August 9, followed by a brief service at J. S. Pelkey and Son Funeral Home in Kittery, M.E. A reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to End 68 Hours of Hunger; end68hoursofhunger.org.

Care of the Mewer family has been entrusted to J. S. Pelkey and Son Funeral Home.