Remembering William Howard Mangum Jr.: A Life of Service and Passion

William Howard Mangum Jr., known to friends and family as Bill, passed away at his home in Harpswell, Maine, on November 28, 2025. He was born on September 23, 1944, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, to William Howard Mangum and Elsie Wiggins Mangum. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Paige (Bishop) Mangum, two sons, William Gordon Mangum II and Thomas Oliver Case Mangum, along with their partners, and two grandsons, John Everett and Charles Henry.

A Dedicated Career and Community Involvement

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University in 1966, Bill joined the Naval Aviator Training Program in Pensacola, Florida. His military career began at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, where he became part of the VP-21 squadron. Following his service, he returned to Brunswick to establish a successful tax and financial consulting business, which evolved into Mangum and Associates. For four decades, he assisted a diverse range of clients in achieving their financial goals, many of whom became lifelong friends.

One of his first clients, George Soule, introduced Bill to upland bird hunting and fly fishing, activities that ignited his passion for the outdoors. Bill cherished his time at his camp in northern Maine, where he embarked on annual October adventures in the state’s deep woods.

In 2005, Bill actively participated in a local initiative to purchase and preserve the Holbrook Wharf, a mixed-use working waterfront property in Cundy’s Harbor. He became a founding member of the Holbrook Community Foundation, serving as its first President from 2006 to 2010, where he contributed significantly to community development and preservation efforts.

A Life Rich in Experience

Bill enjoyed summers fishing and cruising the Maine coast aboard the family’s boat, SELAH. He found joy in meeting new people, learning about their lives, and sharing their stories. A lifelong learner, Bill dedicated his later years to restoring antique cedar strip canoes, gathering knowledge from how-to books and visiting a renowned canoe builder. He built an impressive collection of restored canoes, including those from Old Town, E.M. White, and Carlton.

In a message to those he loved, Bill expressed his wishes through the words of Henry Scott Holland: “Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word it always was. Let it be spoken without effect. Without the trace of a shadow on it.”

A service honoring Bill will take place at 10 a.m. on February 7, 2026, at First Parish Church in Brunswick, followed by a reception. Friends and family can share memories and condolences online at Brackett Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the Holbrook Community Foundation, located at 984 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Harpswell, ME 04079.