1923 – 2016

NORWAY — Paul W. “Bill” Howe, 92, of Norway, died early Saturday morning, Aug. 6, surrounded by family at his beloved home on Bill Howe Road in Norway.

He was born Aug. 16, 1923, in Norway, a son of Harold and Mildred (Heath) Howe. He attended local schools, graduating from Norway High School.

On June 26, 1943, he married Agnes L. Gardner. A year later, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II, and was honorably discharged in April 1946. In 1949, he purchased his first bulldozer and “the rest is history.” His entire working life was self-employed in logging and construction.

He was a member of the VFW in South Paris and the Second Congregational Church in Norway. Although he never really took up the game, he enjoyed golf, boxing, and hunting and fishing as a young man. In recent years, one of his greatest pleasures came from the company of his two young great-grandsons.

Bill owned a lot of acreage over the years surrounding his home and took great pride in being a good steward of his land, something that his children and grandchildren proudly continue.

He is survived by his two daughters, Beverly Cronin and her husband, Ronald, of Poland and Beth Brainerd and her husband, Paul, of Norway; granddaughters, Laura Brainerd and her son, Lucas Russell and Amanda Flanders, her husband, Dustin and their son, Austin, all of Norway; four stepgrandsons, Mark, Gregg, Scott and Jeff; a sister, Jean Grover of Bethel.

He was predeceased by his wife, Agnes, on Aug. 5, 2005; a son, Dennis, in 1968; siblings, Theodore, June and Eva.

Online tributes may be shared at www.chandlerfunerals.com.