William R. Mitchell

William R. Mitchell, “Billie,” died December 21, 2015, at his residence in Candlelight Cove in Easton, MD. He was 95. Billie was born on May 12, 1920, in Boston, MA. He was the only child of William and Hazel Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell graduated from Tuft’s University in Boston, MA, Magna cum Laude in Mechanical Engineering, in 1941. After college, he went to work for the General Electric Co. During WWII, he was a technical representative, assisting GIs in India and Saipan. On August 19, 1944, he married G. Marion Mitchell. With the location selected by flipping a coin, they moved to Erie, PA, where they raised three children. Golf and boating filled the family’s leisure time, along with backyard football and baseball. His work at G.E. was primarily in Engineering and the sales of various locomotives, both domestically and internationally. His final sale was for 300 of G.E.’s largest locomotives with China. He also introduced the G.E. diesel engine to the marine market. He retired from G.E. in 1982. Billie and Marion moved to Easton on December 7, 1980. They took on various construction projects to enhance their piece of paradise: a boat house, family room, solarium, two bridges, and a gazebo (at age 85). Billie played golf three times a week, tennis once a week, and raced his sailboat every Wednesday night. Billie went from very active to a wheelchair overnight at the age of 87. The illness and lack of cure was never clear to Billie. Marion passed away on June 9, 2007, and Billie moved to Candle Light Cove (CLC) shortly after. Billie spent his days writing in his daily diary, and at age 91, he documented his life in amazing detail in a book, The Mitchell Story. He also worked on a patent for a process to make pills taste better. The onset of macular degeneration and the loss of eyesight were devastating to his last years. Billie, the businessman, sports enthusiast, and family man, was a passionate man who was full of integrity and life. He stood up for what he believed. He was not soft spoken and wrote many letters to U.S. presidents and world leaders. He was a thinker and creator who saw the world differently than most. He was a true engineer and innovator. Billie always reminded you to smile and have a little fun every day. Billie is survived by three children, Judy Meister and her husband Richard of Fuquay-Varina, NC, Bruce Mitchell and his wife Lori of Arnold, MD, and Lee Mitchell and his wife Marilyn of Erie, PA; eight grandchildren, Leanne Falkenstein, Holly Galvan, Keith Meister, Gail Stone, Matthew Mitchell, Dara Mitchell, Lindsay Mitchell, and Bradley Mitchell; and six great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Easton, 617 North Washington St., Easton, MD 21601 or Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Dr., Easton, MD 21601.

William R. Mitchell

May 12, 1920 - December 21, 2015