Reverend Roger “Bill” Braley passed away in his home in Limington on September 14, 2017, after a battle with cancer and congestive heart failure. He was 76 years old. Bill was a man of deep and conspicuous faith, and he sought always to order his life after the example of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His deep faith bore much good fruit: he was known to one and all as a kind, generous, and encouraging man who never tired of blessing others.
To his wife, Linda, the love of his life, he was a steady source of strength and guidance for 50 years. They shared their love and faith, from which came their son, Christopher. They enjoyed doing home-improvement and landscaping projects, and they loved to travel and explore the world together. As a father to Christopher, he was patient, gentle, supportive, and self-sacrificial. He skillfully cultivated his son’s faith, teaching him early, by word and example, to seek the Lord in prayer and in scripture. He was always ready with a word of wise counsel. He was an exemplary father.
Bill delighted in the beauty of creation, especially the beauty of flowers. He was known, far and wide, for his impressive flower gardens, and he loved to share their beauty with friends and family. He would sometimes quip, “I just love to play in the dirt.” Bill found great inspiration in music of many kinds as well. He directed and accompanied the choir at South Limington Free Baptist Church for many years. The highlight of a vacation to England with his wife and his son was his participation in choral evensong at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, and he could often be found listening to recordings of that glorious choir.
A graduate of Bangor Theological Seminary, Bill was a deep and contemplative thinker who always had helpful words of insight and wisdom to share with those who sought his counsel over the years. As a pastor, he inspired many with his preaching, and he led his congregations with kindness, sensitivity, conviction, and a servant’s heart. Bill was motivated by a strong commitment to social justice. He served tirelessly as a social worker in several social service agencies in York and Cumberland counties, including People’s Regional Opportunity Program and Cumberland County Head Start.
Bill is pre-deceased by his parents, Roger and Mona Braley; his parents-in-law, Linwood and Julia Gammon; his elder brother, Keith; his sister-in-law, Beverly; and his brothers-in-law, Gerard, Joe, Larry, Weston, Dennis, and Paul.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Gammon Braley, of Limington, and his son Christopher, of Tampa, Florida; by his sisters, Bernice and Janice; by his brothers, David, Brian, and Kevin; by his sisters-in-law, Mary, Roberta, Judy, Jane, Barbara-Jo, Judy, and Irene; by his brother-in-law, Gerald; by dozens of nieces and nephews, and by many beloved friends, most especially his best friend and seminary roommate, Ken.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 22, from 6–8 p.m., at Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home at 71 Maple Street in Cornish. The funeral service will take place at South Limington Free Baptist Church on Moody Road in Limington on Saturday, September 23, at 10:00 a.m.