WEST BATH — Wilbert B. Small, 84, a life-long resident of Berry’s Mill Road, died Jan. 8 at Maine Medical Center in Portland as a result of injuries sustained from being hit by a car on December 12, 2009.

He was born in Bath on July 1, 1925, a son of Loring D. and Alice R. Bates Small. He was educated in the Littlefield Schoolhouse on Berry’s Mill Road and graduated from Morse High School, class of 1943. He was a member of the Morse High School Alumni Association and had served as President of the association from 1991-1993.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed in Italy, where he was a Technician 4th grade.

Small was employed 34 years with the Civil Service. He worked at the Navy Fuel Depot in Harpswell from 1954-1962, the Coast Guard Base in South Portland from 1962-1968 and the Bath Post Office from 1968 until his retirement in 1986.

On April 27, 1974, he married Laura M. (King) Voter and they made their home at his family’s homestead.

Small enjoyed farming, putting on clambakes, and being active in the West Bath community. He never missed a town meeting.

In 2008 he and his wife received the West Bath Board of Selectmen’s Special Recognition Award for their many years of community service. Small was a member of the West Bath Grange for over 60 years, served as a volunteer fireman since 1949 and was Fire Chief from 1967-1968. He was a member of the E911 Committee, the WINNS Committee, West Bath Historical Society and the Tri-Town Winnegance Alewife Commission. In 2005 the West Bath Fire Department dedicated Squad 8 Fire Truck to him.

Small was also a member of the American Legion Smith Tobey Post 21 in Bath for more than 60 years.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Laura M. Small; two daughters, Jill A. Hickey and her husband, Thomas, of Maynard, Mass., and Carrie L. Walsh and her husband, Brian, of Hudson, Mass.; a brother, Dana W. Small of New Harbor; two grandsons, Kevin P. and Matthew T. Hickey of Maynard, Mass.; two granddaughters, Calleigh E. and Lauren D. Walsh of Hudson, Mass.; a niece; two nephews; and several cousins.

Visiting hours were held this week, as was a funeral service with fireman’s honors.

Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in the spring. Memorial contributions can be made in his memory to either Morse High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 826 High St., Bath or West Bath Fire Department, 219 Fosters Point Rd., West Bath.

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