Portland--- William "Bill" Fournier, 68, passed away January 14, 2025. He was born on August 17,1956 in Grand Falls, NB, Canada, to Martin L. Fournier and Germaine (Levesque) Fournier. He grew up in Van Buren, Maine and attended local schools, graduating from what was then called Van Buren District High School.

Like most Aroostook County kids, Bill grew up working the potato harvest and eventually worked for the B & A Railroad for a few years. Life then took Bill to Connecticut for several years where he worked for the City of Waterbury Parks Department before he relocated to Portland, Maine, where he had family living in the area. After attending baseball umpire training in Florida, he could often be found working Portland area high school, junior high school as well as Little League games. A self-proclaimed sports nut, Bill was a devoted fan of all things Boston (Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots) and the UConn Huskies. Bill was a very proud member of AA for decades and spent his non-working years volunteering throughout Portland. He was known as a helpful neighbor to his disabled and elderly co-residents at Deering Pavilion and a dedicated volunteer visiting military veterans living in area retirement facilities. Bill made friends wherever he went! Several serious automobile accidents and ensuing lifelong medical issues cut Bill's working years short. Bill also struggled with chronic pain and a long history of mental health issues. Friends and family are especially saddened to learn that it appears Bill ended his own life on January 14, 2025 in his hometown of Van Buren.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and a handful of close friends, including his beloved dog, Bubba.

He is survived by four sisters, Jennifer, Sharon, Monique and Tina, and a half-sister, Gina.  He is also survived by five nieces, five nephews, several aunts and uncles, and dozens of cousins as well as his longtime friend and former brother-in-law, Jim.

Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of Bill's family as he's laid to rest with his parents in St. Bruno Cemetery, Van Buren. Memorial donations in Bill's name may be made to: Alcoholics Anonymous          https://csoaamaine.org/  or to St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen  https://www.svdpme.org/ .Both sites also provide an address for mail-in donations.

www.LajoieFuneralHome.com