William “Bill” Theodore Thoren

SOUTH PORTLAND – William “Bill” Theodore Thoren, 87, of South Portland passed away on Dec. 4, 2025.

Bill was born on Aug. 2, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of the late Theodore Roosevelt Thoren and Helen Benz Thoren.

Bill grew up in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, graduating from Chagrin Falls High School in 1956. He spent several years at The Ohio State University and a year working in Visalia, Calif., before joining the United States Air Force. He served from 1961 to 1965. For three years of his service, he worked on missile systems at the Loring Air Force Base Strategic Air Command installation in Limestone. While there, he met his future wife, Doris Moody. They married in 1967 and celebrated their 58th anniversary this year.

After the Air Force, Bill completed his degree at The Ohio State University. His first job out of college was with Westreco, a Nestle Company research facility, in Marysville, Ohio, testing new products. After 10 years, the couple, with their two young sons Mark and Wade, moved to Bethel, Conn.

For 35 years Bill worked as a Quality Control Technician at various electronics companies in Connecticut, including Automation, Fujitsu, Dex, Lorad and Hologic, changing jobs as companies closed, moved, or were consolidated. He was a long-time member of the Bethel Ham Radio Club. He retired in 2003 and in 2014, he and Doris moved to South Portland to be closer to her family. During all 20 years of retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at his local libraries.

While living in Maine, Bill became a member of Unitarian Universalist Church on Allen Avenue in Portland, joining several auxiliary groups where he made many friends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Doris; their two sons, Mark and his wife Anjali and their children Priya and Ayush of Milpitas, Calif.; and by Wade and his wife Sarah and their children Elle and Mason of Los Angeles, Calif. He is also survived by two sisters, Ann Bice and husband Blair of Alexandria, La. and their two children and four grandchildren; and by Margaret Thoren Luckay of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

He was predeceased by his parents; and a sister, Christine Rundus. He will be deeply missed by his extended family and many friends.

No funeral services are planned.

If you wish to remember Bill with a donation, please contribute to your local library.