William Henry Nason, Jr.
NORTH SEBAGO-William (Bill/Billy) Nason, 83, passed away peacefully at his home,
surrounded by his family on January 25, 2025 after a bravely accepted battle with
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Bill was born in North Sebago, on June 19, 1941 at home, to William Henry Nason, Sr.
and Marian Dolloff Nason on the Sandy Beach Road (now Folly Road).
He attended Sebago schools; graduating from Potter Academy in 1960. He was
a star shortstop on the Potter baseball team. He graduated from Maine Vocational
Technical Institute in South Portland (now SMCC) in 1963 with a degree in Machine
Tool Technology.
He went on to work for Keyes Fiber Company, in Waterville, very soon to
discover that inside work was not for him.
Bill was a natural carpenter from early childhood, building things as he closely
watched and learned from his father. Bill built one of his first “vehicles” at age 7, a
“buggy” of wood, wheels, a “cab” with a flashlight tied to the top, and a “steering
wheel”. He and his little sister rode it down hills-the steeper the better. “No brakes”, of course. So began Bill's love of fun, risk and adventure that was so much a part of who
he was.
In 1963, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Yvonne Ann Tenney. Together,
they began what was to be their career for a lifetime as W.H. Nason Builders, Inc..
As W.H. Nason, Inc., he built a strong and highly respected reputation based on
honesty and hard work-a master carpenter with a lighthearted personality that
endeared him to so many. As his family grew, his business transformed into W.H.
Nason Builders and Sons, Inc. and naturally progressed into providing general
contractor services.
In 1984, Bill and his brother Ellis, of Reno, NV, carried on as fourth-generation
owners of Nason’s Beach and Campground. With the help of their family, Bill and
Yvonne, until Yvonne’s passing, have been chief operators of Nason’s Beach and
Campground. Bill and Yvonne also owned and operated Nason’s Variety (now
Gemme’s) while owning and operating other businesses including snow plowing and
property rental. In addition to their personal endeavors, Bill and Yvonne continued to
provide for townspeople and community, offering his skills, resources, time and
equipment, often at no charge. A few of his many contributions can be seen at
Sebago Town Hall/Town Office, Sebago Elementary School, Spaulding Memorial
Library, Sebago Ball Field and NSUMC. In earlier years, Bill was on the Lake Region
District’s School Board and very active in town meetings.
For 8 years he volunteered as Sebago’s Fire Chief; 12 years on Sebago’s
Rescue. Bill and Yvonne travelled to Indiana in the 70’s to pick up and drive home a
new fire truck. He participated in creating and implementing improvements to the
town’s fire buildings.
Sebago Days’ original intent was to raise money for the Fire Department, Rescue
and Ladies Auxiliary through collaborative efforts. As one of the founders of Sebago
Days, many townspeople can recall memories of working with Bill to ensure its
success. Bill made many games, the stage, and fire department’s storage building, still
in use today.
As a member and past President of North Sebago Lakeside Cemetery
Association, in the footsteps of his parents, many remember him digging graves with
his backhoe to ensure a family was taken care of in their time of sorrow.
In addition to his professional, personal and community interests, Bill enjoyed
hunting, fishing, socializing, looking at maps, reading historical books, tinkering with
motors and solving a challenge. He loved exploring and learning about the history of
places he travelled to visit. Many times, he and Yvonne would pack up a cooler, load
their 5 kids up and just go where the road took them. Each of us would do an eye roll
when Dad would say,
“I know a shortcut!” Dad enjoyed music, especially classic
country and singing and dancing along to it. Bill spent time with each of his 5 children
and many others, sharing and teaching the gifts of his knowledge, use of
equipment/tools, and skills. His house had a “revolving door”
. No invitation was
needed and people would always just drop in for conversation, support, and coffee.
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Yvonne Nason, and his brother,
Ellis Henry Nason.
Bill is survived by his 5 children, that meant the world to him; Richard Nason
(Joyce); Rosalie Carruthers (Leonard); Edward Nason and Angela Dionne, all of North
Sebago, and Thomas Nason (Ana), of Sparks, NV, 13 grandchildren, that he treasured;
3 great grandchildren, that he felt blessed to have; his sister, Anita Nason Smith
(Greg), of Windham, and sister in law, Marian P. Nason, of Reno, NV. He has many
cousins, nieces and nephews who adored and remained in contact with him.
Bill was a pillar of his family and hometown and has left an unfillable void. He
forever will be remembered for his fairness, honesty, selflessness, care and dedication
to people and community of Sebago, which can be heard, seen, and felt throughout the
town.
A closed, private service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10 AM,
at the North Sebago United Methodist Church. Following, from 1-6 PM, it was Bill’s
request to have a Celebration of Life at the Sebago Town Hall so family and friends
may gather to remember him through laughter, love and stories. Online condolence
messages can be submitted at Poitras Funeral Homes website,
www.mainefuneral.com.
A special thank you to all the staff at Andwell Health Services who provided
loving and exceptional care and support to our dad and us.
In traditional Bill fashion, in lieu of flowers, he has requested people perform an
act of kindness for their neighbor or community. Donations can be made to the
following organizations-near and dear to his heart. Please, mark donations IMO
William “Billy” Nason.
-Andwell Health Partners, Attn: Development Office, 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston,
ME 04240
-Sebago Community Fire Company, PO Box 179, Sebago, ME 04029
Venmo: Sebago Fire Company@Sebago-FireCompany
-Sebago Volunteer Association (Ladies Auxiliary), 1254 Bridgton Road, Sebago, ME
04029
-Sebago Days Committee, Carl Dolloff, 113 Convene Road, Sebago, ME 04029
Venmo: Sebago Days@SebagoDays
-Sebago Volunteer EMS, PO Box 250, Sebago, ME 04029
-Sebago Lions, PO Box 165, Sebago, ME 04029
-North Sebago United Methodist Church, 820 Sebago Road, Sebago, ME 04029