William Howard Mangum Jr., affectionately known as Bill, passed away peacefully at his home in Harpswell, Maine, on November 28, 2025. Born on September 23, 1944, in Wake Forest, North Carolina, he was the son of William Howard Mangum and Elsie Wiggins Mangum. Bill’s legacy continues through his wife of 58 years, Paige (Bishop) Mangum, their two sons, William Gordon Mangum II and Thomas Oliver Case Mangum, and his two grandsons, John Everett and Charles Henry.
A Dedicated Professional and Community Leader
Bill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University in 1966. Soon after graduation, he entered the Naval Aviator Training Program in Pensacola, Florida. His first permanent duty station was at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, where he served in the VP-21 squadron. Following his military career, Bill returned to Brunswick to establish a tax and financial consulting business, which evolved into Mangum and Associates. For four decades, he dedicated himself to assisting a diverse clientele in achieving their financial goals, fostering many enduring friendships along the way.
Among his first clients was George Soule, who introduced Bill to the joys of upland bird hunting and fly fishing. This passion led to an enduring love for the Maine outdoors, with Bill’s camp in northern Maine becoming a cherished destination for annual October adventures.
Community Engagement and Personal Passions
Relocating to Harpswell in 1977, Bill became actively involved in local community initiatives. In 2005, he participated in a concerted 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, where he worked tirelessly to enhance community engagement and resource access.
A lover of the ocean, Bill spent summers fishing and cruising the Maine coast aboard the family’s boat, SELAH. He relished the opportunity to connect with the local community and learn about their stories and lifestyles. In his later years, he developed a keen interest in restoring antique canoes, creating a notable collection of Old Town, E.M. White, and Carlton canoes through diligent study and mentorship from a renowned canoe builder.
Bill leaves behind heartfelt instructions for those who cherished him, quoting 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 celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on February 7, 2026, at First Parish Church in Brunswick, followed by a reception. Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences at 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.
