William Arthur “Bill” Grover, 70, of Cape Canaveral, FL died March 21, 2023 from injuries sustained after being struck by a vehicle.
Bill was born July 24, 1952 in Portland, ME to the late Alton and Shirley (Purinton) Grover and grew up surrounded by the many natural wonders of Maine.
He joined the Army in his late teens and served three years, during which he was stationed in Goppingen, Germany for one year.
He met his former wife Judith (Mitchell) Grover while living in Washington, PA and completed his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at California State College in California, PA.
Bill returned to Maine and excelled as project engineer for US Gypsum, worked for the Department of Environmental Protection bureau of water quality control and later as a sales engineer for Albany International and Tamfelt.
Throughout his lifetime, Bill’s zeal for adventure and love of nature led him to explore the outdoors through hiking, camping, motorcycling, sailing, white water rafting, spelunking, biking, and gardening.
He was an avid reader, interested in genealogical research, biographies, science, and politics. He restored several sailboats and loved working on cars, once rebuilding the engine of his VW bus using a manual he borrowed from the library. He had the ability to figure out how to fix just about anything.
He met and married Darinee “Tik” Ponposertmark while in Thailand and she remained his devoted companion for the last 17 years of his life; they made their home together in Florida with their four cats.
Bill is survived by his wife Darinee “Tik” Ponposertmark of Cape Canaveral, FL, daughter Jessica Grover of Pittsburgh, PA, son Wesley (Kasey) Grover and grandsons Hudson and Camden of Durham, ME, siblings Gail Rinaldi, Rita Jergens, Donald (Sue) Grover of Falmouth, ME, and Walter Grover of Portland, ME. He is preceded in death by siblings Alton “Butch” Grover and Clara Purinton.
Bill’s passion for political activism and community service have been continued following his tragic death, through the efforts of his dear friends and neighbors, who have lobbied local government for safer pedestrian walkways.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in Maine this summer.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Bill’s honor to Outward Bound.