William D. Kinsman

William D. Kinsman, a former dining service staff member, died on March 17, 2017, in Topsham, Maine.

(The following was published in The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram March 18-21, 2017:)

TOPSHAM – William “Bill” D. Kinsman, 75, of Topsham, passed away unexpectedly at his home.

Bill was born Feb. 2, 1942, to Charles P. and Elizabeth Sturgis Kinsman, of Augusta.

He was a student at Cony High School for two years before graduating from Gould Academy. He attended the University of Maine at Orono and graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in business. Bill worked in sales and management before becoming a stockbroker for eight years. Using his business acumen, he opened Bill’s Pizza of Yarmouth in 1974. It was his lifelong dream to own his own sandwich and pizza business. “Bill’s” was home of the famed “Governor Kinsman” sandwich, which still lives on today at a few local establishments.
After 35 busy years of serving the Yarmouth area, Bill retired in 2009 to spend more time playing golf and attending sports events of his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He quickly realized that retirement wasn’t for him, so he went to work for Bowdoin College Dining at Moulton Union.

In his youth, Bill enjoyed summers and water skiing on Cobbossee Lake at the family camp and Indian Point in Georgetown. Bill was known for his mischievous adventures and his crazy sense of humor.

Bill’s love of family and friends, travel, sports and food kept him very busy. He was always known as the life of the party, the glue that held everyone together. His generosity and kindness towards everyone knew no bounds. His endless humor and gift for making people laugh will be sadly missed.

Bill is survived by his wife of 17 years, Elizabeth Coulombe Kinsman, of Topsham; three daughters, Kelli K. Perrier, husband Steve Perrier, and grandsons Ryan and Ethan Perrier, of Yarmouth; Beth Kinsman-Watts and husband Mike Watts, of Portland; and Tracey Kinsman, of Biddeford; two stepsons, Alan Vaillancourt, wife Mical Raz, and grandchildren Leora and Eli Vaillancourt, of Philadelphia, Pa.; and Steven Vaillancourt, of Topsham; siblings Warren R. Kinsman and wife Barbara Kinsman, of Beaufort, S.C., and Green Lake, Maine; Diane Carroll and husband John Carroll, of Boothbay; Penney Kinsman, of Bath; Richard Kinsman, of Yarmouth; and Charles P. Kinsman and wife Margot C. Kinsman, of Brunswick; and many loving nieces and nephew.

Bill was predeceased by parents, Charles P. Jr. and Elizabeth Kinsman; first wife and mother of his daughters, Connie Herron Kinsman; sisters, Connie K. Hostetter and Susanne K. McGrady; and infant brother, Robert Kinsman.

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