William S. Brownell

CAPE ELIZABETH – William S. Brownell, 79, of Cape Elizabeth, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Nov. 14, 2025. Bill was born on May 8, 1946, in Westfield, N.J., one of two sons of John and Margaret (Slocum) Brownell. Bill lived in Westfield until 1956 when his family moved to Fairport, N.Y. In 1960, his father was transferred to Portland and they settled in Cape Elizabeth where Bill would call home for the rest of his life.

Bill graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1964 and from the University of Maine at Orono in 1968, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He received his JD from the UMaine School of Law in 1971. Following a judicial clerkship with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, Bill served as the administrative assistant to the President of the Maine State Senate for two years and then began a highly respected 34-year career at the United States District Court, serving as Clerk and as a part-time magistrate judge.

In 1973 Bill met Elaine Jordan through mutual friends and after a five-year courtship they married on August 19, 1978. Together they raised two sons, John and Andrew, of whom he was very proud.

Bill was an avid supporter of his sons’ and his grandchildren’s academic and athletic pursuits. He was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church and the Purpoodock Golf Club. He also enjoyed community service, volunteering on numerous groups for the Town of Cape Elizabeth, including two terms as chair on the Fort Williams Advisory Committee.

He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and an indelible presence in the lives of his and Elaine’s extended families.

Bill nurtured meaningful friendships during all phases of his life. He maintained many special relationships from high school, college and law school, in addition to the multitude of close friends he and Elaine made over their 50+ years as part of the Cape and Greater Portland communities. Until recently, he enjoyed playing bridge regularly with the same three neighborhood friends for nearly 40 years.

Bill and Elaine loved to travel by car and drove across the U.S. and Canada numerous times, often visiting friends and relatives. Together they explored many of the national parks, frequented Hilton Head during retirement, and spent countless summers at their family camp in Lincoln. Bill was naturally curious and took particular pleasure in reading about American and world history. Throughout his life he remained keenly interested and informed about local and national politics.

Bill is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elaine, his sons, John and his wife Sarah, and Andrew and his wife Liz; his beloved grandchildren, Molly, Sam, Will and Nora, all of Cape Elizabeth; his brother, Gordon of Santa Rosa, Calif.; his brother-in-law Bob Jordan and his wife Stacey and their daughters, Sophie and Gracia, of Epping, N.H. Bill is predeceased by his parents and his sister-in-law Kata Brownell.

Visiting hours will be held at Hobbs Funeral Home at 230 Cottage Road in South Portland on Monday, November 24, from 4-7 p.m. A memorial service will follow on Tuesday, November 25, at 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church at 301 Cottage Road in South Portland.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to the professionals at New England Cancer Specialists and Hospice Care of Maine.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute.