York, Maine- William “Bill” O. Thomson, 96, died peacefully while surrounded by his family, on Sunday, July 12, 2026. Bill was born December 22, 1929, in Melrose, MA the son of the late Maxwell and Helen (Otis) Thomson. He was a graduate of Salem State College, now known as Salem State University, and later Northeastern University. Bill went on to become a full professor in the history department at his alma mater, Salem State University, before retiring after 35 years. He especially loved discovering and teaching the little-known stories of colonial America, and he was known throughout the North Shore for his ability to convey the history of America’s early patriots as real people, living real lives.
During his teaching career Bill wrote many books of local legends and history, and in summers, he ran his family’s seasonal gift shop, Whispering Sands, in York Beach. His family started coming to York Beach in 1948 when his parents, Max and Helen, managed the Coupe’s gift shop at Nubble Light before opening their own shop downtown. Over time, countless people visited yearly, specifically to speak with Bill and share stories with him. He collected many of these pieces of oral history and enjoyed sharing them with others throughout his lifetime.
Upon retiring from teaching, Bill continued to speak regularly with groups around New England about interesting, obscure facts and legends of life in colonial times, and later, stories about New England lighthouses. He retired from the gift shop in 1995 when his sons assumed the helm, and he began his second career as an author and acrylic oil artist. During the summer season he would split his time between The Nubble Lighthouse and Portland Head Light selling his books and paintings through the town gift shops, and talking with visitors about the area and the lighthouses. In his eighties, coming around full circle, he slowed down a tiny bit and spent his summer days at just the Sohier Park Nubble gift shop, where he enjoyed working with all of the volunteers and employees, who treated him like family. He shared his love and enthusiasm for the lighthouse with hundreds of thousands of visitors well into his nineties, before his health declined.
Bill was devoted to his eight grandchildren and he was a fixture at their various sporting and school events. He taught several of his children and grandchildren to ski. His granddaughters still share stories of him teaching them to drive. He was very proud of each of them, and never shy about letting everyone know. In his last few years, Bill enjoyed his time with his three young great-grandchildren.
Bill is predeceased by his sisters, Lois and Priscilla Thomson of York Beach, ME, and his wife of 63 years Jacqueline Loveland Thomson of Kennebunk, ME. He is survived by his children: two sons William Thomson and his wife Jane of Wells, ME, Jeffrey Thomson and his wife Ann of York, ME; two daughters Kathie Mahoney and her husband Michael of Kennebunk, ME, and Cindy Thomson of Kennebunk, ME; eight grandchildren, Timothy Mahoney, Brendan Mahoney and his partner Kelli Smith, Andrew Thomson, Mathew Thomson and his wife Lauren Russell, James Allen, Jacqueline Allen, Megan Gordan and her husband Mat, Emma Thomson an her partner Danny Schesser; three great-grandchildren, Landyn Sargent, Otis Thomson and Lincoln Gordan.
For many months Bill has resided at Sentry Hill in York. His entire family would like to extend a special thanks to the many employees at Sentry who took great care of Bill during his time there.
At Bill’s request, there will not be a service. His family will hold a private ceremony at a later date. Because of his lifetime appreciation for the Shriners Hospital’s help to his family, Bill has asked that charitable donations in his memory can be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital:
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/ways-to-give/giving-to-shriners-childrens/honor-a-loved-one
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras Funeral Homes, www.mainefuneral.com