OWLS HEAD — William (Bill) Carl Martel, 82, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at the Owls Head Homestead.

Born April 27, 1937, in Rockland, to Leo Joseph and Frances (Spear) Martel, Bill was educated in local schools and was a graduate of Rockland High School class of 1955.

Upon graduation Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force and was trained as an aircraft mechanic. While stationed in South Carolina he met and courted Alice Jean Capell and they were married July 21, 1959. Upon completion of his service, Bill attended the University of South Carolina from 1959 to 1961. He then transferred to the University of Maine in Orono in 1961, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree in 1963.

Bill’s degrees in Mathematics and Education quickly earned him work as a teacher, a vocation he would enjoy for more than 40 years.

He was a fixture in the Rockland District Junior High School (RDJHS) Math department, and created the five-year, 8th grade to 12th grade Algebra to Calculus program, a cutting-edge college preparedness curriculum at
the time.

Bill was also an early adopter of Personal Computers in the 1980s, and started the Computer Lab at RDJHS, a lab that was named after him upon his retirement. He also taught mathematics at the coastal extension of the University of Maine for 33 years, making algebra understandable for thousands.

When asked how he could teach the same subject over and over without getting bored, Bill would simply reply, “I don’t teach math; I teach people.” Making education accessible was in many ways the driving force of Bill’s life. In addition to RDJHS and University teaching, Bill was involved in Literacy Volunteers of America, the Pen Bay Christian schools, and countless other educational endeavors, including teaching math to his children and grandchildren.

Faith was central for Bill and over the years he and Jean attended Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Rockland, and later, West Rockport Baptist Church. His faith was quietly but consistently exercised in the many people he helped in large and small ways.

Bill loved all things mechanical, gardening, old cars, relief carving, playing the guitar, and canoeing.

Predeceased by his parents, he is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, A. Jean Martel of Owls Head; his daughters, Renee Philbrook and Nate Greenleaf of Rockland, and Carmen Van Dusen and her husband Donald of Owls Head; his son, William Martel and his wife Joanna of Saco; his brother, Leo Martel and his wife Janet of Burlington VT; 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A visitation to celebrate Bill’s life will be held Thursday, March 12, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street in Rockland.

A private graveside service with Military Honors will be held at the convenience of the family on a later date.

To share a memory or condolence with Bill’s family, visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com.

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