William “Bill” Karnes
Karnes, William “Bill”, 74, Presque Isle, in Presque Isle, January 18, 2010. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle.
PRESQUE ISLE – William “Bill” Karnes, 74, passed away suddenly January 18, 2010, in Presque Isle. He was born April 29, 1935, in Waterville, the son of Stanley and Lena (Stansfield) Karnes.
He was educated in the Waterville school system and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He then graduated from Berkshire Christian College and began his career as a pastor and school teacher. Bill taught for 36 years, encompassing grades 2-12, in the Rockland, Hodgdon, Ashland, and SAD #1 school systems, where he impacted the lives of many students. He loved young people, pouring his time and energy into them. He was formerly the pastor of Port Clyde Advent Christian and East Mapleton Advent Christian Churches and served as itinerant pastor of the Hodgdon and Linneus Methodist Churches. A former president of the Northern Maine Advent Christian Conference, he and his family provided live music for the Dan Pike radio ministry for many years. He shared the pastorate of the Oxbow and Masardis Ministries for the past 31 years, where he still served in spite of declining health, because of his great love for the Lord and for the people there. He was a former member of the Trinity Masonic Lodge #130 A.F. & A.M., the International Association of Basketball Officials #150, Northern Maine Approved Baseball Umpires Assoc., ASA Softball, and the National Education Association, Maine, Retirement Association.
Bill was unique in his love for everyone he met and his gift of encouragement. He loved to laugh and entertain with his many colorful stories. He followed sports passionately and enjoyed all music, playing his trumpet and singing. Above all, Bill loved God and he shared God’s love with those around him. Bill will be greatly missed by his family and all that knew him.
He leaves his wife, Diane, to whom he was married for 50 years, his daughter Jennifer and her husband David Whitaker of Presque Isle; his daughter Julie and her husband Colby Morse of Gorham; a brother Thomas Karnes and two nephews Eoin and Brendan Karnes of Williston, VT; a half-sister, Sharon and her husband Bob Southard of Windham; and two special aunts, Eleanor Estabrook of Houlton and Geraldine Borodko of Somersworth, NH. He is also survived by his three grandsons, Gregory David, Joel Thomas and Aaron John Whitaker of Presque Isle, were his pride and joy.
Calling hours were held Friday, January 22, from 6–8 p.m. at the State Road Advent Christian Church, Rt. 227, Mapleton. The funeral service was held Saturday, January 23, at 10 a.m. at the State Road Advent Christian Church with the Revs. David Ross and Greg Moody officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to WFST (Christian Radio), P.O. Box 600, Caribou, Maine 04736, The State Road Advent Christian Church, P.0. Box 550, Presque Isle, ME 04769, or the Oxbow Congregational Church, Oxbow, ME 04764. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, Presque Isle, Maine. Online condolences may be expressed at duncan-graves.com.