Walter O. Oxley, Sr.

Walter O. Oxley, Sr., passed away on November 6, 2025 surrounded by his wife and children. Born on April 9, 1933, as the sixth of eleven children to Fred and Elva Oxley, he grew up in Hampden and attended Hampden Academy.

Walter spent his career as a truck driver, driving first for his father at Fred's Express then for 29 years at Cole's Express. He retired in 1995.

A farmer at heart, he spent the majority of his life doing what he loved best - working outside on his property. Depending on the season, you could find him tending to his farm animals, mending fences, cutting wood, planting his vegetable garden, baling hay, clearing brush to expand his lawn, or puttering around in his garage. He constructed many buildings over the years and reluctantly stopped working in the woods in his late 80s. His work ethic was legendary - an inspiration to everyone who knew him.

When not working, he enjoyed snowmobiling, picked up motorcycling in his 70s, and spent endless hours on his four-wheeler surveying activities on the farm. He didn't travel far, but enjoyed covering the county fair circuit in Maine to watch the horse pulling.

A man of many talents, Walter's diverse mechanical skills were impressive. Most noteworthy was the restoration of his 1964 Chevy pickup which he rebuilt from the ground up in the mid-1970's and drove daily for the next 20 years.

Walter and his first wife Claudette made their home in Hampden. They were blessed with two children, Walter, Jr. and Debra.

Walter was also blessed by two special ladies. He and Rachel were married in 1964 and shared in the joy of having three children together, Scott, Zoe, and David. Their early years were spent on the Coldbrook Road in Hampden in a home bustling with nieces, nephews, and other family members that lived close by. Seeking a property with more land for farming, Walt and Rach moved the family to Etna in 1979 where they raised their children and ultimately were blessed to spend each day in retirement with grandchildren who lived next door to them. They had a wonderful life together until Rachel's passing in 2003.

Iris and Walter married in 2008. They were an active couple throughout their golden years enjoying many activities such as driving through the Maine countryside and along the coast, dancing, weekly breakfasts with their many friends, and visiting their children and grandchildren. Walter's children will be eternally grateful for the love, companionship, and care that Iris provided to their father.

Walter is survived by his wife Iris, his children Walter (Sandra) Oxley, Jr. of Holden, Debra (Steve) Grondin of Etna, Scott (Donna) Oxley of Green Lake, Zoe (Dale Miller) Oxley of Schenectady, NY, and David (Bonnie) Oxley of Etna, his grandchildren Melanie, Michael (Margo), Naomi, Wyatt, Madison (Chandler), Cameron, and Owen, and his great grandchildren Halie and Tyler. He is also survived by his stepsons Richard Nadeau and Randy (Kelly) Nadeau and their children Tanya, Tyler, and Ally; step-grandchildren Paul Smith, Jr. and Angela Slicker and their children Lillian, Liam, and Sadie; his siblings Ann Lindsey, Gail (Ed) Nason, Helen Giles, Judy (Hermie) Brown, Amy Lindsey, and Bill Oxley; and many nieces and nephews.

Walter was predeceased by his wife Rachel, his brothers George Oxley and Ed Oxley, his sisters Kay Barrows and Jane Cobb, and his step-grandchild Candace Fearer.

Walter's family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the intensive care unit team at Eastern Maine Medical Center for the exceptional care provided to Walter in his final days of life.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, November 14 at 11:00 am at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Route 143, Etna. A reception will follow at the Carmel Union Congregational Church, 37 Plymouth Road, Carmel. Refreshments will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Walter's memory to the Carmel Union Congregational Church, PO Box 111, Carmel, ME 04419.