William

York

William Joseph York ("Billy"), 63, of South Berwick, Maine, passed away in his home on November 2, 2026.

Born on January 22, 1963, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Billy was the son of Emery Hudson York and Carol Ann York (Ashcraft). He grew up in Portsmouth, attended St. Patrick School, and graduated from Portsmouth High School.

After high school, Billy enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1981 to 1987. While deployed, he had the honor of attending Christmas Eve Catholic Mass with the Pope. He returned home and continued his service as a very successful Navy recruiter. After leaving the service, he began his civilian career at National Gypsum before moving into the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry, where he spent the majority of his career with Lamprey Oil and East Coast Plumbing & Heating. Over the years, he built a reputation for knowing his craft and for being someone people could count on to get a job done.

Billy married Katina Kagiliery. Together they raised their son, Russell, who remained the center of Billy's life. Though their marriage later ended, Billy and Katina remained close and continued to share a friendship rooted in years of family history and love for one another.

Billy spent much of his adult life in Kittery, Maine, before moving to South Berwick. There he lived with his longtime friend Dave Hayes and became part of the Hayes family. After Dave's passing, Billy remained an important presence in the lives of Jamie and Jordan Hayes, who cared for him throughout his illness and considered him family.

Billy enjoyed gardening, fishing, and the company of his dogs. He was not a quiet person. If he had a story to tell, everyone in the room was going to hear it. He liked conversation, had opinions on just about everything, and rarely kept them to himself. Family and strangers alike often found themselves talking and laughing with Billy without realizing hours had gone by. He had a way of making ordinary moments more interesting, whether he was swapping stories, offering advice, or simply saying exactly what was on his mind.

Those closest to him knew him as someone who stayed connected to the people he cared about. He valued friendship, remembered old stories, and kept in touch with people long after others might have drifted apart. His absence will be felt by the many family members and friends who shared their lives with him.

Billy is survived by his son, Russell Kagiliery; his sisters, Debbie (Bob) Reardon, Shelly York, and Karen (James) Trowell; many nieces and nephews; and Jamie and Jordan Hayes.

He was predeceased by his parents, Emery and Carol York, and his niece, Sarah Gott.