Prominent Wiscasset resident William Theodore Phinney died Dec. 24, 2014.

He was born the son of Robert Edgar Phinney and Wilhelmina Straatsma Phinney on Aug. 6, 1949 in East Orange, New Jersey.

The Phinney family moved from New Jersey to Arrowsic when Bill was a young boy. He grew up with full access to Sewall Pond and the Kennebec River as his father built homes next to each body of water during the late '50s and early/mid '60s.

He began working at an early age as the grounds keeper for the home of William and Marguerite Zorach in Georgetown. Bill loved the work. He loved the earth and was enthusiastic to learn the craft that would later produce some of the most beautifully landscaped settings on the East Coast.

After he graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in landscape design in 1971, he combined his intuitive sense of design with years of experience to develop a impressive list of projects from Islesboro to Princeton. His last conversations included the joy each of those projects and clients brought to his life.

He owned and operated Phinney Site Planning and Landscaping Design for over 40 years. Bill would often hire a pilot and fly over different properties and would later either send the owners of the property plans to redesign their landscape, or he would appear in person with the plans. Many of those flyovers generated not only business for Phinney, but lasting friendships.

Bill cared deeply about Wiscasset, the town he called home. He contributed volunteer hours working on many projects throughout the years. He desired a positive vision for the town and the Wiscasset Harbor. He was a strong supporter of what he considered good for Wiscasset, and a strong opponent of what he considered detrimental to the town, and was never afraid to express his opinion regardless of his position on the issue.

Among those projects were assisting the town in the purchase of the Creamery Platform in 1989; organized a forum at the high school with over 400 people in attendance on how to face life without Maine Yankee in 1998; organized a successful effort in opposition of the Dragon Cement's cargo port coming to Wiscasset; closely monitored the proposed bypass routes and their impact on Wiscasset; advocated against the proposed coal gasification plant at Mason Station; and many more.

Phinney brought beauty to Wiscasset with his two swans of Lee Street Pond, Sir Christopher and Queen Isabella, which the public enjoyed for over 20 years.

He is survived by two daughters, of whom he was very proud, Jodi M. Phinney and Tasha S. Phinney, both of 52 Willowdale Road, Scarborough; and his faithful dog, Hobson, who will remain with them. The family wishes everyone a peaceful new year. A memorial service will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please join the family in sending donations to the Cancer Community Center, 778 Main St., South Portland, ME 04106, an amazing place of support, growth and family for Bill over the past 20 months. He stepped through their doors the week after his diagnosis and his daughters will continue to support them and benefit from their groups and connections for years to come.