William Howard Mangum Jr., affectionately known as Bill, passed away at his home in Harpswell, Maine, on November 28, 2025. He was born on September 23, 1944, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, to William Howard Mangum and Elsie Wiggins Mangum. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Paige (Bishop) Mangum, their two sons, William Gordon Mangum II and Thomas Oliver Case Mangum, along with their spouses, and two grandsons, John Everett and Charles Henry. He was predeceased by his parents and younger siblings, Marilyn Mangum Searle and Walter Travis Mangum.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University in 1966. Following his graduation, he entered the Naval Aviator Training Program in Pensacola, Florida. His first permanent assignment was at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, where he joined the VP-21 squadron. After his military service, Bill returned to Brunswick and established a tax and financial consulting business, which he later expanded into Mangum and Associates. For 40 years, he provided financial guidance to a diverse clientele, many of whom became lifelong friends.
Passions and Community Involvement
Bill’s love for the outdoors flourished after he was introduced to upland bird hunting and fly fishing by one of his first clients, George Soule. This passion led him to a camp in northern Maine, where he enjoyed annual October adventures in the woods. After moving to Harpswell in 1977, Bill became actively involved in local initiatives. In 2005, he contributed to efforts to purchase and preserve the Holbrook Wharf, a mixed-use working waterfront property in Cundy’s Harbor. His dedication to the community was further exemplified by his role as a founding member and the first President of the Holbrook Community Foundation, serving from 2006 to 2010.
Bill cherished summers spent on the ocean, fishing and cruising along the Maine coast aboard his family’s boat, SELAH. He found joy in connecting with the people he met during these trips, learning about their lives and stories. A lifelong learner, Bill dedicated his later years to restoring antique cedar strip, canvas-covered canoes. He meticulously studied how-to books and made numerous visits to a renowned canoe builder, resulting in an impressive collection of restored Old Town, E.M. White, and Carlton canoes.
A Lasting Impact
In his final years, Bill left heartfelt instructions for his loved ones, quoting Henry Scott Holland: “Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was. Let it be spoken without effect. Without the trace of a shadow on it.”
A memorial service for Bill will take place at 10 a.m. on February 7, 2026, at the First Parish Church in Brunswick, followed by a reception. Those wishing to share memories and condolences can do so at http://www.brackettfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be directed to the Holbrook Community Foundation at 984 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Harpswell, ME 04079.
Bill Mangum’s legacy of service, community involvement, and passion for life will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
