WARREN — Willis 'Will' R. Berry, 95, of Warren passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Windward Gardens in Camden.

Born March 7, 1930, in Warren, he was the oldest son of Roland and Mildred Pease Berry. Educated locally, he was a 1948 graduate of Warren High School.

Will lived in six different states and four towns in Maine, but always called Warren his home.

After high school, Will worked various jobs in construction and eventually became a boilermaker, erecting steel oil storage tanks up to 100 feet tall. He survived a traumatic industrial accident that left him with two broken legs and was told he would never walk again. He refused to accept that prognosis, recovered fully, and walked for the rest of his life. In fact, he built several homes, including the one in which he resided.

Following his recovery, he attended and graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a teaching degree. He taught school for 32 years in Brewer, Glenburn, Warren, and Medomak Valley High School. While attending college, he worked at W.T. Grant in Bangor to support his family.

His most memorable moments were with his family. He was married to his wife, Janet, for 70 years—they were inseparable. Supporting Janet's later-in-life painting talents, they participated in and attended many art shows, museums, floral gardens, and music concerts. Will was an avid reader, loved to travel, and followed the Red Sox, Patriots, and NASCAR. Through Richard Petty's driving experience program, Will visited professional speedways in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania's Pocono Speedway ten times, driving race cars as fast as he dared. On his tenth drive at age 79, Will decided the cost exceeded the excitement. The following year, he rented small planes and flew over much of Maine. He found flights from Penobscot Bay along the coast to Canada to be the most scenic, with later flights around the Moosehead Lake region and Baxter State Park territory. He said viewing the mile-high mountains and evidence of glacial activity was very memorable.

Will shared these observations from his 95 years:

"The nail on the dance floor that sticks up gets pounded down the most… like the interactions with most people."

"After meeting people, I love my dog most."

"Most people have goodness if you look for it."

"And finally, whether you are rich or poor, it's better to leave a little money."

His quick wit and loving personality will be missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his parents; his wife, Janet; a brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Carol Berry; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Earl Gammon; as well as an aunt, Evelyn; Will is survived by his son, Rodney Berry (Linda) of Lincolnville; his daughter, Susan Gitlin (Rocky) of Pennsylvania; two grandsons, Jonathan Barrow (Lisa) of Jamaica Plains and Dylan Gitlin of Ohio; two great-grandchildren Elias and Delilah of Jamaica Plains; special friends Emily, Gerda and Jonathan; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Will’s family has chosen to remember his life privately.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a memory or condolence with the Berry family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.