rockland — William Richard Wood, 86, died Jan. 9, 2016, at Maine Veterans Home in Bangor. He was born Aug. 24, 1929, in Rockland at 28 Warren St. He was the son of the late Kathryn Kirkpatrick Wood and the late George Washington Wood.

Bill was a lifelong resident of Rockland, graduating in the class of 1949. During and after his school years, he worked in the family transportation business on Winter Street, including Wood's Taxi. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and served in France. He was honorably discharged in 1953.

He subsequently had various occupations, including at New England Telephone and Telegraph, which provided him travel around the state of Maine as a member of COEI. He was also a Prudential Insurance agent. Ultimately he spent most of his employed life in the floor covering business initially as an installer for Sears and Roebuck and then starting his own company, Knox Floorcovering, in 1965. In the early 1970s he became a pioneer of low income housing in the Rockland and Waldoboro area. He ultimately resided in his last project on Emery Avenue in Rockland.

Bill retired in 1981 but kept active collecting bottles and donating the proceeds. This hobby got him out and about to see his many friends, including those at the Chamber of Commerce and Southend Grocery.

He was predeceased by his former wife, Margaret Steeves Wood.

He is survived by his three children, Michelle Doucette and her husband, Chris, of Orland, Thomas Wood and his wife, Joni Angelakis, of Smithfield and William Wood Jr. and his wife, Vicki, of Bangor. He has four grandchildren, Sarah and Christine Doucette of Orland, and Kirkpatrick and William Wood III of Bangor.

Bill was the youngest of five children. He is also survived by his oldest sister, Virginia Kunesh. He was predeceased by three other siblings, Herbert "Bud" Wood, George "Jack" Wood and Barbara Howell. He also had a special niece, Kathy Ilvonen, as well as a number of other extended family.

Bill also wanted to acknowledge a few special friends, including Bill Schofield, who predeceased him, and his wife, Judy, who remained a dear friend. He also valued his friendship and cane from Marjorie Kalloch.

Donations may be made in his memory to the Salvation Army, 27 Payne Avenue, Rockland, ME 04841.

Services will be private for the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Hall Funeral Home.