Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

ROCKLAND –William C. Nystrom, 84, died peacefully at his home after a brief illness, Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
Born in Rockland, June 1, 1928, he was one of fifteen children of Charles A. and Eneda B. Ford Nystrom. He attended Rockland schools.
Bill was a veteran of the Korean War and, at the time of his honorable discharge, had attained the rank of Sergeant.
On December 30, 1950, he married Barbara J. Winchenbach at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Rockland. The couple resided in Rockland all their married lives. Mrs. Nystrom died in 2010.
Over the years, Bill was employed as a meat cutter and assistant manager at Rockland IGA, worked as a night watchman at 40 Fathoms Seafood in Rockland and Knox Woolen Mill in Camden. He also served as a Special Police Officer doing security with the Rockland Police Department, as well as security work with Paul Benjamin Security. For many years Bill lobstered out of Rockland, and served as his son, Mark’s sternman until the age of 82. Bill liked hard work and being active.
Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. When he wasn’t working, he was with family. Bill liked camping, fishing and taking daily walks around his neighborhood. He traveled on a Caribbean cruise with 14 family members, and took a week’s visit to Florida with family; the past two years for winter getaways. He could strike up a conversation with anyone he met. Bill loved making the visiting rounds, going to the Ship-to-Shore wharf and talking with friends.
Bill was a communicant of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and a long-time member of the Winslow-Holbrook-Merritt American Legion Post No. 1, Rockland.
Besides his wife, Bill was pre-deceased by his granddaughter, Rachel Long in 2007, and son-in-law, James Clark in 2008. He is survived by four children, Donald Nystrom of Union, Pamela Clark of Rockland, Mark Nystrom and his wife Nancy of Owls Head, Ronda Long and her husband Michael of South Thomaston; four grandchildren, Michael Clark and his wife Becca of Rockland, Jessica Clark-Caron and her husband Andy of Topsham, Bradley Nystrom and Paige Nystrom of Owls Head; three siblings, Catherine LaCombe of Rockland, Robert Kelly of Bristol, Calvin Gray of Thomaston; many nieces and nephews; as well as extended family and friends. He is also survived by his devoted dog Rossi.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Sunday, February 3, 2013, at Burpee, Carpenter& Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Monday, February 4th, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, 150 Broadway, Rockland. The Reverend Mark Nolette will officiate. A reception will follow at ‘104 Limerock’, adjacent to the funeral home. Spring interment will be in Coughlin Memorial Cemetery, Rockland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Bernard’s Soup Kitchen, 7 Union Street, Camden, ME 04843, or Boy Scout Troop 206, c/o Rockland Congregational Church, PO Box 554, Rockland, ME 04841. To share a memory or story with Bill’s family, please visit his on-line Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

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