William “Bill” R. Exner

WATERVILLE – William “Bill” R. Exner, 85, passed away on Aug. 18, 2024, at home with his family by his side. Bill was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on Feb. 15, 1939, son of Thomas and Constance Exner. He married his wife and best friend, Shirley Ann Dunn. They were happily married for 45 years and raised four children together. His pride and joy were his six grandchildren.

Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Army while living as a young man in Somerville, N.J. He held many careers from a miner in New Mexico, a woodsman and a jailer in Oregon, a chauffeur in New York and New Jersey, and a car salesman in Maine.

Bill was an avid fisherman who would wake his children and grandchildren at 2 a.m., to be on the lake before sunrise. He enjoyed playing poker, painting, auctions, wheeling and dealing, and creating chainsaw sculptures. Bill loved telling stories of fishing, movie stars he chauffeured in New York from Brooke Shields to Donald Trump. As a young child he was placed in an orphanage with his sister Betty. He often ran away, and usually was found at the railroad tracks eating with the hobos. The orphanage would shave his hair and paint his head blue to find him easily. He had a couple stand-in spots in the movies (Twins and Electric Gliding Blue), where you could see him standing. He proudly participated in Memorial Day and Fourth of July parades with his tribute to the troops he painted and would collect toys throughout the year to give to children. Dad loved karaoke and was always introduced by DJ Lena as “Sexy Bill” to sing “I’m too Sexy” to his wife Shirley at The American Legion. He would pull a chair to the middle of the dance floor and have her sit while he serenaded her. He always put his own spin on it singing “I’m too sexy for my dentures,” changing the lyrics to make everyone laugh.

Bill was a generous man, and always had small gifts for random people. A small trinket or toy. He would always help other people by giving them food, clothes, or money.

He was predeceased by his wife Shirley Ann Exner, his parents, Thomas and Constance Exner, his sister Elizabeth Mandakas and husband Gus Mandakas, and his brother Tommy Exner of Florida.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Christina E. Exner of Belgrade, Amanda C. Exner of Waterville, and Brenda J. Exner of Pittsfield; his son James C. Exner and his wife Shauna Exner of China; grandchildren, Naval Aviator Lt. Phillip A. Exner and his wife Abbie Gaudette of Milton, Florida, Joseph M. Exner, William J. Eaton, Brandon Brown-Exner, Trevor Exner, and Addison Exner; his companion Janice Brelsford; and many other extended family and friends. 

Bill’s wish was to have a private family gathering.

The family would like to thank Caring Hands and Hospice for the respect and care they had for our father. A special thank you to Daii, Linda, and Lisa.

Please visit Bill’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/bill-exner where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers or cards, please donate in our beloved fathers name to The Travis Mills Foundation, 647 Castle Island Rd, Mt. Vernon, ME, or The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, 93 Silver St., Waterville, ME.