Kenneth Preble Millinocket, Maine Obituary

Kenneth Preble

Millinocket - Kenneth William Preble, Sr., passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 13, 2019. Bill was in the loving presence of family members at the time of his passing in the Katahdin Health Care nursing facility in Millinocket, Maine. He was 85 years old. Bill was born in Millinocket, Maine, on December 3, 1933. He was the second of four children born to Jennie J. (McCauslin) and Carl W. Preble, Sr. Bill spent many happy days during his childhood at the former Rice Farm property owned by his grandfather, Herbert Preble, located on the banks of the Penobscot River near Millinocket. Bill was particularly fond of his pony, Black Beauty, and he shared many humorous stories of his childhood adventures at the Rice Farm with family and friends throughout his life. Bill also had a keen interest in the history of the Katahdin region and greatly enjoyed discussing local history. Bill met the love of his life, Agatha M. Kelly, in 1950. They were married in 1952 and raised a family of six children in their home in Millinocket. Bill was dedicated to his wife and children and provided a loving home for his family. Both Bill and Agatha were amazed as they watched their small family expand over the years to three generations comprised of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill worked for many years at the Preble Oil Company in Millinocket. He later retired from the Millinocket School department in 1996. Bill was an exceptionally intelligent and capable man blessed with the ability to design and construct many intricate mechanical devices. One of his crowning creative achievements was the design and fabrication of a device to improve mobility and safety for snowmobile users. After several years of dealing with complex engineering and legal challenges, he was granted a U.S. Patent for his invention. Another of Bill’s great joys in life was the construction of the family camp on “Shady Lane” located on the shores of Ambajejus Lake. Due to his ingenuity, frugality and hard-work, Bill was able to create a summer home for his family that continues to be a place of great enjoyment for his extended family. Bill made many personal sacrifices for his loved ones during his life and he will be greatly missed by his entire family. His advice, generosity, kindness and sense of humor will forever be treasured and remembered. Bill was predeceased by his wife Agatha, father Carl W. Preble, Sr. and mother Jennie J. Preble. Bill is survived by his six children, Kenneth W. Jr. and wife Brenda, David H. and wife Maria, Ronald W. and wife Jean, Jan I. and companion Mark, Susan M. (Noddin) and husband Bob, and Nancy A. (Johnson) and husband Peter, eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Katahdin Health Care nursing facility for the care provided to Bill during his stay at that facility. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to the Katahdin Area Support Group, P.O. Box 374, Millinocket, ME 04462. Funeral services will be conducted at the Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack Street, Millinocket, Maine, on Monday, September 16, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a burial service at the Millinocket cemetery.
December 3, 1933 - September 13, 201912/03/193309/13/2019
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

Millinocket - Kenneth William Preble, Sr., passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 13, 2019. Bill was in the loving presence of family members at the time of his passing in the Katahdin Health Care nursing facility in Millinocket, Maine. He was 85 years old. Bill was born in Millinocket, Maine, on December 3, 1933. He was the second of four children born to Jennie J. (McCauslin) and Carl W. Preble, Sr. Bill spent many happy days during his childhood at the former Rice Farm property owned by his grandfather, Herbert Preble, located on the banks of the Penobscot River near Millinocket. Bill was particularly fond of his pony, Black Beauty, and he shared many humorous stories of his childhood adventures at the Rice Farm with family and friends throughout his life. Bill also had a keen interest in the history of the Katahdin region and greatly enjoyed discussing local history. Bill met the love of his life, Agatha M. Kelly, in 1950. They were married in 1952 and raised a family of six children in their home in Millinocket. Bill was dedicated to his wife and children and provided a loving home for his family. Both Bill and Agatha were amazed as they watched their small family expand over the years to three generations comprised of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill worked for many years at the Preble Oil Company in Millinocket. He later retired from the Millinocket School department in 1996. Bill was an exceptionally intelligent and capable man blessed with the ability to design and construct many intricate mechanical devices. One of his crowning creative achievements was the design and fabrication of a device to improve mobility and safety for snowmobile users. After several years of dealing with complex engineering and legal challenges, he was granted a U.S. Patent for his invention. Another of Bill’s great joys in life was the construction of the family camp on “Shady Lane” located on the shores of Ambajejus Lake. Due to his ingenuity, frugality and hard-work, Bill was able to create a summer home for his family that continues to be a place of great enjoyment for his extended family. Bill made many personal sacrifices for his loved ones during his life and he will be greatly missed by his entire family. His advice, generosity, kindness and sense of humor will forever be treasured and remembered. Bill was predeceased by his wife Agatha, father Carl W. Preble, Sr. and mother Jennie J. Preble. Bill is survived by his six children, Kenneth W. Jr. and wife Brenda, David H. and wife Maria, Ronald W. and wife Jean, Jan I. and companion Mark, Susan M. (Noddin) and husband Bob, and Nancy A. (Johnson) and husband Peter, eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Katahdin Health Care nursing facility for the care provided to Bill during his stay at that facility. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to the Katahdin Area Support Group, P.O. Box 374, Millinocket, ME 04462. Funeral services will be conducted at the Lamson Funeral Home, 11 Tamarack Street, Millinocket, Maine, on Monday, September 16, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by a burial service at the Millinocket cemetery.

To plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Preble, please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Sep
16
Visitation
Monday, September 16 2019
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Lamson Funeral Home
11 Tamarack Street
Millinocket, ME 04462
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail
Sep
16
Service
Monday, September 16 2019
11:00 AM
Lamson Funeral Home
11 Tamarack Street
Millinocket, ME 04462
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail