William R. Gushee

DAVISON, Mich. – William R. Gushee departed earthly life on Sept. 11, 2020 in Flint, Mich. He was born May 7, 1951 in Portland, the son of Raymond P. and Lena M. Gushee. Bill attended Portland public schools, graduated from Deering High School and went on to earn a degree in Culinary Arts at SMVTI.

He married classmate, Joanna Goodrich, in 1972. Soon after, Bill joined the U.S. Army, beginning a 12-year career that included postings in Virginia, Kentucky and South Korea. Bill and Jo had two children along the way, Patricia and Richard. Sometime during his Army days, Bill acquired the culinary motto, “When it’s brown, it’s cooking. When it’s black, it’s done.” Bill continued in the Army reserves after his full time enlistment was over, and worked for years, first as a route man for Hood Milk, then in retail as store manager and answer man for Puffin Stop and Paris Farmers Union. In 2002, he married Bertha Porter and together they had happy years as snowbirds wintering in the Rio Grande valley of Texas.

Bill was an enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. He was a Mason belonging to Deering Lodge 183 in Portland and was Past Patron of Deering Chapter #59, Eastern Star.

He loved wisecracks and had a lively sense of humor. Bill Gushee was a stand up individual whose sometime gruff exterior could not conceal the good heart and true blue character beneath.

Bill was predeceased by his parents; half-sister, Carol Wentworth and half-brother, Ralph Gushee are also deceased.

He is survived by wife, Bertha Porter of Davison, Mich.; daughter, Tricia Gushee (Jeremy Paine) of Scarborough, son, Richard (Joanna) of Manassas, Va., stepdaughters Barb Lavigne and Laura Roberts of Michigan, stepson, Caleb Porter of New York, N.Y.; grandchildren Emma, Jaidyn, Madelyn, John, Phil, Nicole, Stephanie, Billy, Garret, Lily, Cayden, Shyann, Jaden, Ace, Carter, Aidan, Dylan and Hazel of Maine, Virginia and Michigan; sister, Mona Dodd of Yarmouth, sister, LeeAnn Vokey of Westbrook, stepbrother, David McDonald of Biddeford and stepsister Janet Slack of Hendersonville, N.C.; along with many nieces and nephews.

At his request, there was no memorial service at the time of Bill’s passing.

By way of remembrance, friends and family are asked to go out of their way to do an act of kindness for someone who needs it.