William Arthur Levesque

It is with loving hearts that we announce the death of William (Bill) Arthur Levesque on September 15, 2023.  He was born in Millinocket, Maine on May 23, 1924, son of the late William and Yvonne (Bechard) Levesque.

          Bill spent his early years in Millinocket where he learned to fish and hunt with his uncles. He learned woodworking from his father who built many windows for homes in Millinocket.  He discovered singing at an early age        and he learned to play the piano, guitar, and violin. He graduated from Stearns High School in 1941 and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942.

          Bill was one of the first fifty enlisted sailors assigned to a new Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in St. Mary’s, MD.   On April 11, 1944, Seaman Susan Nedella reported for duty and his heart was taken.  They were married September 15, 1944 at the station chapel, St. Nicholas Catholic Church, and hitchhiked to Washington DC for a weekend honeymoon.  In January 1945, Bill was deployed to the Pacific Theatre and participated in the Battle of Okinawa in Japan and personally witnessed the flight of Japan’s Peace Endeavor airplane.

          After the end of World War II, Bill and Sue returned to Millinocket to start their family.   Bill worked in the accounting department for Great Northern Paper Company in Millinocket and had an opportunity in 1962 to transfer to Dothan, AL to build and startup a new paper plant with Great Southern Paper Company.  In 1966, Bill accepted a job opportunity with Kimberly Clark newsprint division in Childersburg, AL so that his family could remain in the sunny South.  At Kimberly Clark, Bill modernized the accounting practices at the corporate and local level and grew the relationships with his customers to achieve a company record in outstanding payments until his retirement in 1989.  

   Bill loved life.   He loved his family and his friends.  He loved every opportunity for a gathering of food and song.  He shared his love of music at The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Childersburg, AL and The Brennity in Fairhope, AL with monthly sing-a-longs.  He will be lovingly remembered with his favorite songs, “You are my Sunshine”, “Blue Spanish Eyes” and “Roll out the Barrel”.

          Left to cherish his memory are his children, Kenneth Levesque and wife Deborah of Augusta, ME; Michael Levesque of Gulfport, MS; Patrick Levesque and wife Velma of Charlotte, NC; Gregory Levesque and wife Tina of Ohatchee, AL; Karin Levesque and life partner Kenneth Nelson of New Orleans, LA; and Sharon Libert and husband Timothy of Hockessin, DE; his brother David and wife Jeanne of Millinocket, ME; 6 grandchildren; Kim, Christopher, Leesa, William, Billie, and David, 5 great grandchildren; Kris, Jayla, Trent, Anthony and Leo, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Sue, in 2012, a grandson Gregory Scott Levesque, II; a great granddaughter, Savannah Levesque, his siblings, Yvette Freeman, Robert (Bob), Levesque, Kenneth Levesque and Loanne Gould; and daughter-in-law Dianne Levesque.

          Bill will be dearly missed by his family and all that have known him during his 99 wonderful years.  Internment with Military Honors will be held at the Biloxi National Cemetery at a later date.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Arthur Levesque, please visit our floral store.