Armand Joseph Bill was born in Biddeford, on May 10, 1926, the son of Adelard and Angeline (Rioux) Bill. After graduating from St. Louis High School, Biddeford, he served in the United States Navy as a radio technician from 1943 to 1946. He then attended St. Michael’s College in Winooski (Colchester), Vermont, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. He then completed his studies in philosophy and theology at St. Paul’s Seminary of the University of Ottawa, Ontario. Armand was ordained to the priesthood on May 26, 1956, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland, by the Most Rev. Daniel J. Feeney, Eighth Bishop of Portland.
As a Parochial Vicar, Father Bill served in the following assignments:
St. Mary Parish, Eagle Lake; St. Joseph Parish, Wallagrass; St. Leo the Great Parish, Howland (June to November, 1956)
Immaculate Conception Parish, Calais (December 1956-April 1957) & St. Joseph Biddeford (April to September 1957)
St. Theresa Parish, Mexico (September 1957 to September 1959)
St. Martin of Tours Parish, Millinocket (September 1959 to September 1961)
St. Denis Parish, Fort Fairfield (September 1961 to September 1963); also the Chaplain at Good Shepherd Provincial House, Bay View
St. Hyacinth Parish, Westbrook (September 1963 to June 1966)
Notre Dame Parish, Saco (June 1966 to February 1967)
St. Mary Parish, Lewiston (February 1967 to September 1967)
St. Louis Parish, Auburn (September 1967 to April 1968)
Sacred Heart, Waterville & Seton/Thayer Hospitals (Chaplain), Waterville (April 1968 to June 1971)
As a Pastor, Father Bill served in the following assignments:
Holy Family Parish, Greenville (June 1971 to June 1978)
St. Bridget Parish, North Vassalboro (June 1978 to June 1985)
St. Margaret Parish, Old Orchard Beach (June 1985 to June 1993)
Father Bill retired from full-time active ministry on July 1, 1993. At the time of his retirement, Bishop Joseph J. Gerry echoed the words of those responsible for his formation, describing Father Bill as “simple, serious, determined, and capable of self-possession and self-giving,” adding that despite his many health challenges, he was always “a man of duty.”
Funeral Arrangements – Wake from 9 to 10 a.m., Friday, March 31, 2017, at St. Joseph Church, 139 Elm St. in Biddeford. Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a,m. at St. Joseph Church, with a burial at St. Joseph Cemetery. The Most Rev. Robert P. Deeley will be the main celebrant at the mass and Monsignor Paul Stefanko the homilist.
May Father Bill’s soul, and the souls of
all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home,
Saco.
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