AUBURN — William H. Ricker, 88, of Lewiston, died after a short illness Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Hospice House in Auburn.

William, better known as Poppy, was born in Lewiston on June 22, 1929, to George and Beatrice (Gahagan) Ricker. He attended Lewiston schools and enlisted in the Army in 1946. He married Patricia LeClair on May 26, 1951, and raised three children. He worked at the Lewiston Sun Journal as a printer for 48 years. He loved spending his summers with his family at his cottage at Stover’s Cove in South Harpswell. He enjoyed watching sports including baseball, hockey, football, and especially loved watching his great-granddaughter, Jordyn, play basketball and softball. He always looked forward to his monthly breakfasts with his fellow Sun Journal friends. Poppy will always be remembered for his delicious beef stews, watching Westerns by the hour, and his unwavering concern for the health and happiness of his many girls.

He is survived by two daughters, Elaine Levesque and Kathleen Bolduc and her husband Robert of Lewiston; a sister Beatrice Parker of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; four granddaughters Stacey Boulay and her husband Jesse, Melissa Keating and her husband Jon, Allison Levesque, and Kimberly Stewart and her husband Travis; two grandsons Mike Bolduc and his wife Anna, and Randy Bolduc and his wife Lisa; great-grandchildren Jordyn, Ben, Maddie, Sam, Ashlynn, Vivian, Mae, Ethan and Lillian.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife; son James Ricker; and son-in-law Roland Levesque.

Donations, condolences and a video tribute may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.

William H. Ricker