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North Anson
Harvey Williams, born August 21, 1930, went home to his Lord on October 31, 2022 after a valiant battle with cancer. Harvey was born in Waterville, ME, the older son of Forest and Alice (Goodrich) Williams. He was the loving husband of Jean Williams, with whom he celebrated 71 years of marriage in March, 2022. Harvey started farming at the age of 16, helping his grandmother, Louisa Williams with her herd of 11 milk cows. He worked his entire life on that farm, and put his heart and soul into it. His first employee was wife Jean, who could drive trucks and tractors with the best. Their family expanded and added four sons; Allen, Dana, Richard and Andy. Over the years the farm expanded to more than 500 milk cows and significant young stock and employed Harvey, Jean, “the boys”, multiple members of the extended family and 6-8 other employees.
Harvey was a hard worker, recognized as Maine’s Outstanding Young Farmer in 1968. He served on the Anson Water District Board of Directors for over 25 years, as well as the Board of Directors for the Farm Credit Bureau and President of the New England Milk Producers Association. But Harvey also balanced his work with play; he and Jean square-danced, traveling far and wide, even as far as Aroostook County. Harvey especially enjoyed activities with the family. Harvey and Jean built a summer camp on Embden lake and enjoyed many family get-togethers up there, especially making homemade ice cream. Sometimes the family would put in a hard day haying, then go “up to the pond” for a swim and maybe some water skiing.
Harvey loved any recreational vehicle with a motor, and the bigger the motor the better! A snowmobile was purchased “for the boys”, but it turned out that Mom and Dad used the snowmobile more than “the boys”. The next spring a second snowmobile was purchased, with a MUCH larger motor (that was HIS!). That started a favorite hobby for him. In 1986, Harvey, Jean and 6 others snowmobiled cross country from Maine to Eagle Lake, Wisconsin. (No passports needed in those days to cross into Canada, then back into the USA across Lake Michigan!) Harvey was the Trail master of the Anson-North Anson Snowmobile club for more than 30 years and was recognized by the Maine Snowmobile Association for his dedication to keeping trails in his area in tip-top condition by being presented with the Groomer of the Year award in 2005. He and Jean put in many hours raising funds to buy and support the club’s snow groomer, garaged at the farm for many years. The snowmobile/ATV bridge across the Carrabassett River in North Anson was named the Williams Bridge in his honor.
Harvey couldn’t ride his snowmobile in the summer, so he got a motorcycle. He and “the boys” would go on rides together, and there was usually an ice cream shop somewhere along the route. After a near-fatal motorcycle crash, Harvey got another motorcycle, but this one had 3-wheels. It was also BRIGHT RED, his favorite color, as were most of his cars. Harvey and Jean, with two other couples, rode across southern Maine, into Canada and around the Gaspe Peninsula on two different occasions. They turned a few heads - Harvey’s red 3-wheel Honda, a 3-wheel Spyder and a chopped Beach Buggy.
Although Harvey didn’t have much time for hunting or fishing, he did shoot one NICE 227-pound buck on the farm property that qualified him for Maine’s Big Buck Club. This led to many more years of hunting and several big game hunts with his sons.
In addition to his parents, Harvey was predeceased by two of his sisters, Arlene Williams and Pauline Wyman, wife of Skip Wyman.
He is survived by his wife Jean (Adams) Williams, brother Bernard (Bunk) Williams and wife Betty of Farmington, ME and sister Crystal, wife of Edward Thebarge of Embden, ME. Four sons Allen and Eileen Williams of Wyomissing PA, Dana Williams and Nancy Bickford, of North Anson, ME, Richard and Lorelei Williams of North Anson, ME, Andy and Coralee Williams of North Anson, ME. Grandchildren: Amy Williams, Laura Williams-Burke, Jada Williams, Kara Gibson, Kristina Cannon, Marcie Abbott, Hunter Williams and Cheyenne Williams. Great grandchildren: Mya Atwood, Juliana Gibson, Luca Williams, Harris Abbott, Emmelia Abbot and many more extended family and friends.
Visiting hours will be held at Giberson’s Funeral Home, 40 Maple St. in Madison from 4:00 - 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 10th. A Celebration of Life will be held at the North Anson United Methodist Church at 1:00 pm on Friday, November 11th, with a reception following the service. Attendees are encouraged to wear red, Harvey’s favorite color. A private burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Harvey’s name to either of the following organizations:
The United Methodist Church of North Anson
c/o Darcie Nichols
138 Kennebec River Road
Embden, ME 04958
Anson – North Anson Snowmobile Club
PO Box 437
Anson, ME 04911
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit www.gibersonfuneralhome.com
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