ASHLAND, MASS. — William E. (Bill) Browne II, 74, died on November 25 at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, Mass.

He was born in Boston, Mass., July 20, 1948, the son of Joan Holt and Dr. Edward R. Browne. After divorce, his mother married Earl C. Hotchkiss in 1953. Joan and Earl, whom Bill called Dad, lived on the Upper Ridge in Bridgton, or in the village of North
Bridgton for nearly fifty years. Bill attended public schools in North Bridgton and Bridgton through eighth grade. He started high school at Fryeburg Academy, where he spent one year and was elected president of his class. He then transferred to Bridgton Academy — a school where his mother was teaching and from which his maternal grandfather, Dr. William Holt, had graduated. After graduation from Bridgton Academy, Bill attended college in Gorham and Portland, graduating from what is now known as the University of Southern Maine with a BA in political science.

Bill performed alternative service as a research assistant at Harvard University, where his work with early computers sparked a lifelong interest in computing and a career as a computer software engineer. Bill was very creative and throughout his life combined his love for music and bringing people together. He designed and built the Proud Mary, a houseboat on which he hosted his many friends with live band music while motoring up and down Long Lake in Bridgton and Naples. He also ran community dances at Serenity Hill in Naples. He loved playing golf with his friends at the Bridgton Highlands golf course and was an avid sports fan throughout his life.

Bill moved to Ashland, Mass., in 1988, where he lived for 34 years until the time of his death. He served on many town committees in Ashland, holding both elected and appointed po- sitions. Bill served on Ashland’s Board of Assessors and Water Policy Committee, as treasurer of the Friends of Ashland Public Library for twelve years, and as treasurer of the Ashland Democratic Town Committee for eleven years.

Bill is survived by his sister, Constance (Connie) Anne Browne of Quincy, Mass.; his cousin Courtney W. Holt and his wife Carrie, and their daughter Stella and son Sam, of Los Angeles, Calif., and North Bridgton.

A graveside service will be held in the summer of 2023 at the North Bridgton Cemetery followed by a reception at the North Bridgton home of Courtney and Carrie Holt.

Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the Bridgton Academy Alumni Fund, 11 Academy Lane, North Bridgton, ME 04057; the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, Inc., c/o Ashland Public Library, 66 Front Street, Ashland, MA 01721; or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are being made by Chandler Funeral Homes, 8 Elm Street, Bridgton, Maine 04009.