HOPE — William P. Pearse Sr., 94, died Sept. 29, 2014, at Windward Gardens in Camden. He was currently Hope's oldest citizen. Born in Hope on April 12, 1920, he was the son of Ralph C. and Ethel A. (Barrett) Pearse, and was the sixth generation to be born at the family farmhouse in Hope.

William grew up on the farm and participated in numerous activities in the local 4-H Club. He walked to and from school, in a one-room schoolhouse, until the eighth-grade, when he went to Camden High School. He graduated in 1938. He remembered when the town had no paved roads and no electricity.

After a few years in Portland, William returned to the farm with the beautiful peonies that still grow there today. William worked alongside his father and brother, changing the family business from growing apples to operating a dairy farm. The Pearse Farm is the only dairy farm in Hope and is now operated by his son, Chris and his wife, Linda.

There was no fire department in Hope in 1951, when a neighbor's barn burned. William, along with eight other residents, formed the Hope Volunteer Fire Department, donating $50 each and taking out a loan to purchase a fire truck that was built out of an old truck by Bert Eugley of Lincolnville. The members took turns storing the truck in their barns until they were able to buy some land and build the town's first fire station. William served as the secretary and treasurer of the Fire Department for 31 years, until retiring from active duty in 2002.

In 1963, William married Francina Johnson. They had met at the Hope Grange #299 in 1958 and had known one another a long time. William was an active member for 25 years.
William was a charter member in the formation of the Hatchet Mountain Sno-Riders, a local snowmobile club that worked with local landowners in allowing residents of Hope and surrounding communities to use their land for winter activities.

He also served on the Hope budget committee for several years and has been active in annual town meetings and other community events.

In 2012, William was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane as the town's oldest citizen.

Surviving is his wife, Francina Pearse; his sons, William P. Pearse Jr., and Christopher Pearse and his wife, Linda, all of Hope; his sister, Flora Smith of Tenants Harbor; his nieces, a nephew, cousins and several special friends.

A funeral service followed by a reception will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at the Hope Fire Station, 475 Camden Road in Hope. Burial will be private in Hope Grove Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hope Volunteer Fire Dept. Inc., 475 Camden Road, Hope, ME 04847 or to the Knox County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home.