Final Salute

William (Bill) H. Gagnon, Jr. passed away on October 15, 2026, at his home in Hendersonville, NC. Bill had a lifelong adventurous spirit and the zany stories to match. He defined “making the most of it” but was himself undefinable.

Bill was born on January 25, 1940, in Lowell, MA, but has since lived all over the world as a Navy Seabee. He joined the Navy in 1957, graduated top of his class from electrician trade school in Port Hueneme, CA in 1962, and went on to dedicate 23 years of service to his country. In the late 1970s, Bill was stationed in Italy as the Assistant Officer of all Naval Construction Battalions (CBs) in Europe and the Middle East.

Bill retired as a Senior Chief from the U.S. Navy Seabees in 1980 and founded Seabee Electric, Inc. in Portland, ME the same year. The company is currently celebrating its 46th successful year. The second half of Bill’s story began when he retired in 1998.

After he handed off the reins to Seabee Electric, Bill resumed his worldwide exploration with his wife and companion, Stacey. They traveled to a number of interesting places near and far and appreciated many different cultural experiences together. Bill also enjoyed fishing and hunting trips to remote places like the Allagash Wilderness Waterway with anyone who was daring enough to join him. He liked a good tee time almost as much as he loved a driving range, and he taught each of his grandchildren how to smack the dimples off a golf ball. Bill was as generous as he was wild. He climbed trees and played with fire and ate good food and lived his life with vigor.

Bill is predeceased by his mother, Irene (Harry) Boyle; his father, William H. (Ruth) Gagnon, Sr.; sister Marion (Tom) Allen; son-in-law Myron Hutchinson; brother-in-law Bill Costello; and many treasured pets. He is survived by loving wife Stacey Morrison; beloved daughters: Shirley Gagnon (and her partner Brian Walsh) and Denise Hutchinson (and her partner Harvey Turner); grandchildren: Heather, Chad, Chris, and Cassandra; great-grandchildren: Stanley, Amelia, and Samson; sister, Nancy Costello; brother, Robert (Dot) Gagnon; brother, Alan (Karen) Gagnon; lifelong friends Bill and Elaine Jubinville; cherished dogs: Minnie and Lily; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews; and many devoted friends and neighbors.

There are no services scheduled at this time. The staff at Four Seasons Hospice showed Bill and his family amazing care and compassion during his final days and his family invites you to donate in his memory as they continue to assist families during their time of need. You may send a donation to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, or by clicking here.

Bill was always the protagonist in some unbelievably true tall tales. His zeal for life was contagious. He was a ruthless cribbage cheater and an undiscerning whiskey taster. He regularly left things more chaotic than he found them. He sometimes seemed to speak a language that very few understood. He truly didn’t waste a minute, and now he gets to rest. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed. Somewhere on the other side, the turkey has landed.

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