William J. "Papa" Hallett Sr.

Millinocket - William J. Hallett, Sr. (Bill/Papa) 86, died August 2, 2020 of complications of Alzheimer’s at a Millinocket Health Facility. Bill was born Oct 7, 1933, the third child of John “Jack” Hallett and Celina (Milliard) Hallett in Millinocket. He was a proud graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1952. After graduation, he became a full-time employee of Great Northern Paper Company after having worked various jobs there during his high school years. In 1958 he was given the opportunity to enter the electrical journeyman program, becoming a very proud electrician in the early 1960’s. He continued to work for the subsequent owners of the mill until his retirement at the age of 60 in 1994.
Bill married Sharon (Bouchard) in 1960, beginning a wonderful life filled with family and friends, moving into the home they designed and built in the “New Development” in 1967. Bill and Sharon always put family first, from the summer jaunts around town in the Jeep, the many weekends cruising from island to island in their small boat on Ambajejus Lake, to helping a couple of his siblings build their camps on The Deep Cove Road, and taking up downhill skiing in the 1970’s; appreciating the Maine slopes with their kids and going as far away as the Austrian Alps with dear friends in the early 80’s. Bill spent many a hunting season with The Garvin Boys, fishing with Leino and the guys, and fiddleheading and berrying with his kids. Papa Bill never met a baby or child he didn’t love, and his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews can vouch for that.
Bill was a humble, but very talented man. He was proud to be a member of the IBEW union, was a founding member of the local Gun Club which met in the basement of the Great Northern barn for many years, worked on guns of his and friends’, and was a self-taught clock repairer; fixing clocks from cuckoo to Grandfather. Music was always a part of Bill’s life, starting with him learning the mandolin, then the guitar, 4 & 5 string banjos, the harmonica and finally the piano later in life, all by ear. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren who could actually read music.
Bill, or Papa as most everyone knew him by, is survived by his wife of almost 60 years; Sharon, his brother Edward and wife Bernadette, his daughter Ramona Cesare and husband Tony of Ambajejus Lake, daughter Lori Hallett of Auburn, son William (Bill) Hallett, Jr and wife Diane of Hanover, Mass., and son Steven Hallett and wife Idalia of Oceanside, Cal. He is also survived by grandchildren Christina and husband Flint Christie, Andrea and husband David Christner, Jennifer Galloway, Chelsea Camire, Jacqueline and husband Garrett Martin, Joslyn and husband Sam Berce, Ethan and Cameron Hallett and Melissa Hallett. His great grandchildren Gabby, Ayden, Benjamin, Piper, Alexander, Camden, Dane, Connor and Davis, held just as big a part in Papa’s heart as all the kids before them. Papa is also survived by “The Other Halletts”; Larry, Anna and their children Ryan, Regan, Daniel and Olivia. Uncle Bid/Bill is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his siblings Jacqueline Johnson, Robert Hallett, Ramona Bouchard, Edna Mae Mackin, Evelyn Hallett and Charles (Wally) Hallett, and a special grandson Matthew Cesare.
Bill’s family would like to thank the Katahdin Health Care for the exceptional care they provided him for the last two years. We would also like to thank Beacon Hospice for the wonderful attention they provided Bill these last few months.
Family and friends are invited to visit the Bill’s family at the Millinocket Cemetery from 12-1, Friday, August 7, with the committal service being held at 1:00. Per the family’s request, visitors are required to wear a mask and observe social distancing.
Gifts in memory of Bill can be donated to Katahdin Health Care, 22 Walnut Street, Millinocket, Maine 04462, to help purchase a new recliner for the unit, or to Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US Rt 1, #2C, Scarborough, Maine, 04074. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.