William Howard Mangum Jr., known to many as Bill, passed away at his home in Harpswell, Maine, on November 28, 2025. He was 81 years old. Born on September 23, 1944, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, he was the son of William Howard Mangum and Elsie Wiggins Mangum. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Paige (Bishop) Mangum, their two sons, William Gordon Mangum II (Kyle Helles) and Thomas Oliver Case Mangum (Stephanie), as well as two grandsons, John Everett and Charles Henry. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Marilyn Mangum Searle and Walter Travis Mangum.
Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University in 1966. Following his graduation, he entered the Naval Aviator Training Program in Pensacola, Florida. His military career began at the Brunswick Naval Air Station with VP-21, where he developed skills that would serve him well in later pursuits.
Upon completing his military service, Bill returned to Brunswick and established a tax and financial consulting business, which evolved into Mangum and Associates. Over the course of 40 years, he helped a diverse array of clients achieve their financial objectives, forging many lasting friendships along the way. One of his first clients, George Soule, introduced him to upland bird hunting and fly fishing, igniting a passion for the Maine sporting life that would last a lifetime.
Bill’s camp in northern Maine became an annual destination for October adventures in the state’s rugged wilderness. In 1977, he moved to Harpswell and became actively involved in local initiatives. Notably, in 2005, he played a crucial role in the effort to purchase and preserve the Holbrook Wharf, a mixed-use working waterfront property in Cundy’s Harbor. He was a founding member of the Holbrook Community Foundation, serving as its first president from 2006 to 2010.
During the summer months, Bill delighted in fishing and cruising the Maine coast aboard the family’s boat, SELAH. He cherished the connections he made with the people he encountered, learning about their lives and stories. An avid learner, in his later years, Bill dedicated himself to restoring antique cedar strip and canvas-covered canoes. His commitment to craftsmanship led him to study extensively, resulting in a noteworthy collection of restored Old Town, E.M. White, and Carlton canoes.
Bill leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter. He expressed his wishes through a poignant message inspired by 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 in Bill’s honor will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at First Parish Church in Brunswick, followed by a reception. Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences on the Brackett Funeral Home website: http://www.brackettfh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the Holbrook Community Foundation at 984 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Harpswell, ME 04079.
