Charles W. Odlin Jr.

HIRAM — Charles W. “Bud” Odlin Jr., 95, of Hiram and formerly of Sebago and Cape Elizabeth, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014.

Born at Fort Williams, he had a strong heritage for life at sea. He went to work on the water at the age of 15. He was a lobsterman and trawl fisherman until 1954 when he gave up fishing and went to work for George Stanford Construction in Scarborough, where he worked roofing and other rough carpentry until he was 85 years old.

He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and was discharged at the beginning of World War II. He continued to serve his country as a Merchant Marine after his discharge.

His love of the outdoors, hunting, fishing and trapping wildlife was passed down to his brother Arthur, son Clayton, his nephews, grandsons and his wife Cynthia. He taught them to respect the woods, the law and the property owner whose land they borrowed.

Bud loved to dance in his later years and had a favorite band, Howard Allen and the Troubadors. He was most proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, telling anyone who would listen how smart and wonderful they were. They all adored him and spent many happy hours listening to Gramp tell his stories.

He was a past member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and currently a member of the West Baldwin United Methodist Church where he loved to sing old hymns.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Bertha; his infant daughter, Mary Charlotte; his stepchildren, Everett Bucklin and Louise Grover; and his brothers, Clifford and Arthur.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; son Clayton; daughters, Bessie Foss and Kathryn Klehn; stepsons, Kenneth Bouffard and James Bouffard; sisters, Claire Randall and Aldana Olvey; brother Doug Dufour; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

An hour of visitation will be on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 10 to 11 a.m., immediately followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m., at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple Street, Cornish. Online condolences may be expressed at www.wnyfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The West Baldwin United Methodist Church, in care of Nancy Anderson, 26 Douglas Hill Rd., West Baldwin, ME 04091, or the Maine Trappers Association Education Fund, in care of Brian Cogill, 416 Moulton Hill Rd., Parsonsfield, ME 04047.