April 11, 1923 – June 14, 2014

Emile BedardNorway-Emile Joseph “Whistling Bill” Bedard, 91, of Norway passed away at his daughter Linda’s home on Saturday evening, June 14, 2014, after a brief period of failing health. He was born April 11, 1923 in Norway, the son of Nazaire P. and Celanire (Demers) Bedard. He attended Norway schools and worked in local factories: Cummings Mill and Wilner Wood Heel Products. He proudly served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater. Later he became a Master Barber which was a vocation he really enjoyed because he was a “people person”.

He owned and operated Bill’s Barber Shop and retired after 50 years. During the last few years of barbering, he worked at Lee’s Barber Shop with his grandson, Lee Ellingwood.

In 1942 he married Lona Noble Brill, whom he met while playing in her father’s orchestra. In 2012, they celebrated 70 years of marriage. Playing together was a joy they both shared. He played guitar, violin, banjo, harmonica, ukulele and any other stringed instrument. Some of the musical groups he played in were: Maine Melody Mountaineers, the Northeasters, the Felt Band, and the Bedard Trio. In 1998, he was the 49th inductee into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. He and Lona also played in area churches, nursing homes and at various functions.

One of the joys of his life was his 10 grandchildren. He enjoyed taking them fishing and taught them many practical lessons about life.

He is survived by three daughters, Mary Cook of Livermore, Emilia Fogg of Norway and Linda Ellingwood and her husband Jerry of Norway; former son-in-law, Donald Fogg of Norway; 9 grandchildren, Terrence and Gina Parker, Kenneth and Sue Parker, James and Bonney Fogg, Joseph and Stefanie Fogg, Jeffrey and Katrina Fogg, Julie and Garth Nicholson, Lee and Robin Ellingwood, Jason Ellingwood, Brady and Sara Ellingwood; 24 great grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Lona, in 2012; son-in-law, Reginald Cook; grandson Jeremy Ellingwood; great granddaughter, Sommer Evelyn Fogg; and three brothers and one sister, Nazaire P. Bedard, Jr., Edmond J. Bedard, Francis P. Bedard and Anna Bedard.

“Bill” was a Christian, who enjoyed sharing his faith in Christ with family and friends alike, offering them a Gospel of John which meant so much to him. A special thank you goes to the staff at the Maine Veterans Home in South Paris, Dr. Kieliszek and his staff at Oxford Hills Internal Medicine. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 21 at 2 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris with interment to follow at Norway Pine Grove Cemetery in South Paris. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Oxford Advent Christian Church of the “Gospel of John” ministry, 1130 Main St., Oxford, ME 04270,or the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, c/o Carole Huntington, 15 Plummer St., Apt. 145, Auburn, ME 04210.