CAMDEN — William Henry Mella, 70, of Camden, died May 31, 2015, at the Sussman Hospice House in Rockport. Born in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 13, 1944, he was the son of John and Katherine (Moos) Mella.

He received his bachelor's degree in music from Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn., and master's degree in music education from the University of Arizona in Tucson.

Following graduate school, Bill taught music in elementary and secondary education. He then went "on the road" for five years with a rock 'n roll band in which he played both acoustic and electric guitar.

In 1977, after relocating to southern California the previous year, Bill joined the team at AAA where he had a 30-year career, retiring in 2007 as a touring counselor. With Bill's great passion for travel, fine food and culture, he crafted meaningful trips to remember for his many clients during his time at AAA.

On Oct. 12, 1985, he married Cynthia Bennett in Los Angeles, Calif. Bill and Cindy enjoyed traveling and made many trips to Maine before moving here in October 2012.

During the last year of his life, they traveled to Europe once again. This grand tour included museums, exquisite food, magnificent architecture, cathedrals, concert halls, art, music and spending time in his most cherished place, Switzerland.

A voracious reader and intellectually curious, Bill learned something new every day. He adored animals, especially the many pets he and Cindy had over the years.

Bill was a member of the William A. Farnsworth Art Museum, Mid Coast Community Chorus, Solace and the Camden Public Library Songwriters Group. He also took classes through Bay Chamber, and private advanced guitar lessons.

Surviving is his wife, Cynthia Mella of Camden; three sisters, Katherine Sherman and her husband, Robert, of San Diego, Calif., Mary T. Mella of Evanston, Ill., and Sr. Margarita Walters of Chicago, Ill.; three brothers, Michael Mella and his wife, Lisa Krone Mella, of New York, N.Y., Philip Mella and his wife, Nancy, of Woodland Park, Colo., and Joseph Mella and his wife, Su Williams, of Nashville, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, John Mella.

A memorial service, followed by a reception, will be held Tuesday, June 16 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, UCC, 55 Elm St. in Camden with the Rev. Kevin Pleas officiating. Burial will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made in his memory to the Maine Cancer Foundation, 170 U.S. Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105; Sussman Hospice House, c/o Pen Bay Medical Center, 5 Glen Cove Drive, Rockport, ME 04856; or to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, St. Scholastica Monastery, 7430 N. Ridge Blvd., Chicago, IL. 60645-1913.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home.