William "Bill" Ledger's Obituary
William Burnham Ledger “Bill” passed away on Sunday August 10, 2025. Bill was born in South Paris, Maine on September 22, 1936, the oldest child of William Benjamin Ledger (former Principal of Oxford High School) and Emma Elizabeth (Thompson) Ledger (former teacher at Norway High School). Bill initially lived in Norway, Oxford, & Mechanic Falls before the family relocated to Portland, Maine. Bill graduated from Deering High School in 1954, attended Portland Junior College, & the University of Maine – Orono before transferring to “Northrop Aeronautical Institute” in Inglewood, California. Bill drove to California from Portland, Maine in his 1931 Model 'A' Ford (5 window coupe) that he had rebuilt with a Flathead V-8 Engine & Hydraulic Brakes in the family garage on Woodmont Street in Portland. Early on, Bill had hopes of becoming a Jet Pilot in the Air Force, but a brain concussion during a high school basketball game ended that dream. Bill became a Mechanical Engineer in the Paper Industry, visiting the paper manufacturing plants to determine what they needed for machinery; then designing that machinery for them. That profession took him to many places, including his homes in South Walpole, Mass; Glens Falls, NY; & Cornell, Wisconsin before his final destination in Waupaca, WI. Bill was married to the late Sandra (Coveo) Ledger of South Walpole, Mass. Later in life Bill married Donna Gyldenvand on September 22, 2001.
Due to failing heart health, Bill had been living at Bethany Nursing Home in Waupaca for the past 15 months. His ashes will be buried in Roque Bluffs, Maine in the cemetery donated by his grandmother, Lura Vellie Gould Thompson, from her farm to the town of Roque Bluffs over 100 years ago. Bill's mother & grandmother are buried there by the big THOMPSON headstone with other close relatives.
Bill is survived by his wife Donna Gyldenvand of Waupaca, WI: his children Laura (Ed) Hannay of Belvidere, IL; Linda Minten of Appleton, WI; William Brian (Melanie) Ledger of Fond du Lac, WI; & Jeffrey Scott (Jessica) Sweet-Ledger of Stevens Point, WI, Bryon Gyldenvand of Waupaca, WI, Steve (Lori) Gyldenvand of Weyauwega, WI and Jim (Kari) Gyldenvand of Waupaca, WI; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and his sisters Patricia Ledger Maxim of Naples, ME and Jane Anton-Clarkson of Treasure Island FL.
A memorial gathering only will be held on Thursday August 14, 2025 from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?