William H. Gibson
WEST PARIS – William H. Gibson, 99, of Stearns Hill, West Paris, died peacefully at home on March 20, 2026, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Visalia, Calif., on April 15, 1926 to Annette Stearns and Leslie E. Gibson; the family moved back to Maine in 1932. Bill was a graduate of Paris High School, class of 1943. He enrolled at the University of Maine in Orono in the fall of that year, but left to enlist in the Navy in April of 1944, training as an Electronics Technicians Mate and served in the Pacific until June, 1946.
He went to Brown University upon his return, majoring in economics and business, graduating in 1949. He worked in manufacturing accounting for General Electric in the Lynn, Mass. plant from 1949 to 1956, was transferred to Rome, Ga., where he worked for 10 years, then transferred back to the Lynn, Mass. plant until 1971.
He took early retirement from GE that year after the death of his father, moving the family to Maine to take care of his mother, deal with a health issue, and be part of the back-to-the-land movement that was happening at that time; coming back to the farm included returning to his happy growing up place and re-engaging in gardening, animal husbandry, baling hay, making maple syrup, selling firewood, eggs, and butter, and canning and freezing fruits and vegetables. He volunteered his accounting skills to many local organizations, including the Fare Share Co-op (of which he and Jane were among founding members), Christ Episcopal Church, and McLaughlin Garden. He was also a member of the Paris Cape Historical Society.
His love of all things maritime began at the age of 9, spending time in Freeport and Portland with the seafaring Randall relatives who took him onboard many tall ships on a regular basis- he saw his Randall cousins every summer. While in Georgia, Bill and a neighbor friend built a 12-foot sailboat that later moved north with the family, providing enjoyment on Casco Bay, Norway Lake and North Pond.
In the last years of his life he often went to Portland to see the ships docked at the wharves on Commercial Street. Bill loved Maine history as well as family history; he and Jane enjoyed spending time at the Shaker Village in New Gloucester, eating meals and spending time with the few remaining brothers and sisters there; in his last summer, he revisited the village with daughter, Mary and great-granddaughter, Aurora, to enjoy the Abenaki craft fair and was able to have a special visit with one of the last living Shakers, Brother Arnold. He lived a long, rich life, and leaves his family with many special memories.
He was predeceased by his wife, Jane Porter Gibson; brothers Dr Edwin Gibson and Warren Gibson, and sister, Joan Gibson Wheeler.
He is survived by daughters Mary Gibson Williams (Tom) and Emily Gibson (David Andrews); grandchildren Evan Williams, his wife Chelsea Lipham and their son Van; Ellis Williams and partner Kayla LeVeille and their children Aurora and Atreyu; Austin Williams, and Arielle Williams. He is also survived by many Gibson and Porter nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on what would have been his 100th birthday, Wednesday, April 15 at 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, Norway. Condolences may be sent to http://www.funeralalternatives.net.
