Obituary of Willliam Corliss McKeen

WHITEFIELD - William Corliss McKeen of Whitefield,

Maine passed away on January 8 th at his home with his

beloved wife, Susan, by his side. He was born in

Millinocket, Maine on February 16, 1941, the son of Edwin

and Verna McKeen. He graduated from Camden High

School in 1959.

 

Bill was a graphic designer, painter, genealogist, history

buff and a collector of coins, guns, diecast car models,

books and antiques. Bill’s interests were boundless.

He began his professional career at the age of 5 when he

sold his first painting at the corner store in Rockport. Bill

went on to become a maker of hand-painted signs. His

design talents soon took him to Presque Isle where he

became television art director at WAGM TV. Soon after he

put his many talents together as a newspaper designer at

The Aroostook Star Herald in Presque Isle, Courier

Gazette in Rockland and the Coastal Journal in Bath

where he became owner and publisher. After selling the

Coastal Journal Bill formed an advertising agency,

McKeen & Associates in Bath. His next project took him

full circle back to producing signs, but this time using

digital technology, by forming Minuteman Signs located in

Augusta.

 

Bill had a way of putting people together with his confident

optimism, calming presence, kindness, resilience and

humor. He was both a cowboy, unafraid of a challenge,

and a voice of reason.

 

Bill was dedicated to community and public service. He

held leadership positions in Jaycees and Rotary. He

served on many state and local political committees. He

was active in local politics including serving two terms on

the Whitefield Select Board and served as president of the

Whitefield Historical Society. But his passion was his

Scottish heritage. Bill was the president of the Saint

Andrews Society of Maine and chairperson of the Maine

Highland Games where he gave his many creative talents.

He was also vice president of the Ulster Scots Project of

Maine.

 

Bill is survived by his wife of 41 years, Susan. His three

sons from a previous marriage, Kevin McKeen and his

wife, Jacki of Dresden; David McKeen and his wife Sue, of

Bolton, Massachusetts; Shawn McKeen and his partner

Paula of Westbrook; stepchildren Shawn Bowdoin of

Woodstock, Vermont; Christian Bowdoin of Newcastle;

Wyeth Bowdoin and his wife Ann of Newcastle; Meagan

Bowdoin and her husband, James Hanes of Farmingdale;

sister Carol Underhill of Lincolnville; brother Richard and

his wife Pat of Poland as well as numerous grandchildren,

great grandchildren and step-grandchildren, nieces and

nephews.

 

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at

MaineGeneral Hospice for their gentle care and kindness.

 

It was Bill’s wish to have a party and, in that spirit, a

“ceilidh” will held at the Public House in Newcastle on

February 6th from 2:00 to 5:00.