ROCKPORT - William L. Peters, 73, passed away peacefully, July 28, 2021, from complications of renal failure at the Sussman House. 

Born on July 23, 1948 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvani,a to Gordon and Erma Witherspoon Peters, Bill enjoyed his time growing up with his brother Doug.

As a young boy, he had the opportunity to spend a few of years in Yugoslavia and Indonesia with his father for work.  He loved to tell the story that while his family lived in Indonesia his father contracted polio, and while he was in the hospital, Bill and his brother would skip school for days and go to the zoo, where they once let a water buffalo out of the cage. 

Other than his adventures abroad, Bill attended school in Thomaston and North Haven during his younger years until graduating high school from MCI in Pittsfield. From a young age he knew that he wanted to be an engineer, and went on to pursue his goals at Calhoun Engineering School in Baltimore, Maryland. 

After graduating he sailed on many merchant ships for the next 20 years. Bill was proud of working his way from Third Engineer to First Engineer during his career at sea. After a long stretch away from home he decided he wanted to be home with his family. He ended up working at Bath Iron Works and as a caregiver for five years until his health began to decline.

Bill took care of many people and loved every second of it. He was seen by his friends and coworkers as a very personable and caring person. Bill most recently found out that he has a sister named Nancy from tracing his ancestry.  

Predeceased by his parents, Bill is survived by his loving family: wife of 44 years, Lynn Peters, of Cushing; his sons, whom he was most proud of: Nicholas and wife Calli, of Warren; and Ethan and wife Amy, of Warren; his three grandchildren Alexis Dale and husband Josh, of Lexington Kentucky; Grayson Peters and Lyla Peters, of Warren; his brother, Douglas Peters, and wife June of Sebring, Florida; his sister, Nancy Holbrook, of Georgetown, Massachusetts; a very special mother in-law, Freda Smith, of North Haven; his sister-in-law, Janice Hopkins, and his brother-in-law Roy Smith, both of North Haven; a sister-in- law Judy Fearing and husband Charlie, of Union; as well as many special nieces, nephews and cousins whom he loved dearly. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, August 13, 2021 at Thomaston Baptist Church, Main Street, Thomaston. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate. A graveside service will be held on a later date at Fuller Cemetery in North Haven. To share a memory or story with Bill’s family, please visit their online Book of Memories www.bchfh.com

In lieu of flowers Bill asked that memorial donations be made to the American Kidney Foundation or Pope Memorial Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, Maine 04841. 

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.