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 CUMBERLAND - William "Bill" Goodrich Lyford, 75, peacefully passed away April 30, 2012, with his wife, Jean, by his side at Gosnell Memorial Hospital House. Bill was born June 5, 1936, in Presque Isle, to Charles W. and Anna L. (Clifford) Lyford. He spent his youth in Presque Isle, where he graduated from high school, going on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in education from Farmington State Teacher's College in 1958. After serving time in the U.S. Army, where he was a member of Battle Group 501, First Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, he returned to college. He received his Master of Education degree from Boston University in 1962. Bill's first teaching position was in the consolidated elementary school in the town of Baldwin, where he was the first male principal. He elected to move to Alaska, where he spent approximately 30 years in elementary education. The sixth grade students were his favorite group, but enjoyed teaching all ages. He made such a positive impact on so many of his students, they often returned years later to thank him for changing their lives. He also was a beloved hockey and track coach during his tenure in Alaska. During his career of teaching he did return twice to Maine. One of the return trips was after the Alaska earthquake. During those times he taught classes in South Portland and Cumberland. During the summer months of vacation Bill worked in Valdez, Alaska, on the Alyeska Pipeline and at Egegik - a fishing village in Alaska whose name stands for mud flats - by helping to run the "can shop," among other positions. One of his proudest accomplishments was to climb Mount McKinley in June 1974, and to stand at the top of this beautiful and majestic mountain at an altitude of 20,320 feet, While in Alaska Bill obtained his pilot license and enjoyed his flying experiences. He actually picked up playing the game of ice hockey quite unexpectedly and fell in love with the sport. He also did his share of hunting. Bill retired from a long and successful teaching career with the state of Alaska School Department on his birthday, June 5, 1987. That summer he took his trip of a lifetime flying to and touring parts of Australia. Upon returning to Alaska he packed up and returned to Maine. After his return he did work for the state of Maine for about seven years at Maine Youth Center. He also did some substitute teaching in Cumberland and Yarmouth. After his return to Maine he continued to play hockey, especially playing with the "Portland Old Boots" for a number of years. He had a dream of playing with some of the pros, which was realized when he had an opportunity to play in Montreal with Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, Stan Makita and other well-known ice hockey legends. Bill is also a lifetime member of National Rifle Association. Bill was a loving husband, and wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His parents; and his only brother, James A. Lyford, predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Jean; daughters, Laurel E. Judy and husband, Kent, and their children, Taylor and Trevor, and Elizabeth A. Saunders and husband, Scott, and their children, Aidan and Piper; stepchildren, Glen E. Darling and wife, Vicki, and their children, Angela and Brice, and Sonya J. (Darling) Lafortune and husband, Richard, and daughter, Monica Weeks; three great-stepgrandchildren; his sister-in-law, Mary Lyford; nephews, Timothy and Hal Lyford, and their families of Presque Isle; and his boyhood and longtime close friend, Alan Boone of Bangor. Friends and family are invited to visit 11 a.m.-noon Friday, June 1, at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, where a funeral service will begin noon with the Rev. Mark Rustin officiating. Immediately after the service there will be a private burial service at Moss Side Cemetery, Cumberland. A reception will be afterwards at Toddy Brook Café, 965 Sligo Road, North Yarmouth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Casco Bay Hockey Association, attention: Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7482, Portland, ME 04112 or Cumberland Fire & Rescue Department, 366 Tuttle Road, Cumberland Center, ME 04021. To view a video collage of Bill's life and to share your condolences, memories and tributes with his family, please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com.
Published in BDN Maine on May 19, 2012
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