Wilhelminé “Billie”
(Dennis) Oakes

BOWDOINHAM – Wilhelminé “Billie” Dennis Oakes, 87, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025, surrounded by her family. She shared nearly 64 years of marriage with Fulton Donald “Don” Oakes, Jr.

Billie was born Dec. 18, 1937, to William and Wilhelminé Dennis, later of Scituate, Mass. She graduated from Framingham State Teachers College in 1960 and married Don on June 17, 1961. As a newly commissioned Naval Officer, Don was assigned to Honolulu, Hawaii, then Portsmouth, Va. In 1965, they landed in Bowdoinham, where they raised four children and Black Angus cattle on their farm.

Billie was an active community volunteer with Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and the Bowdoinham Public Library and its 50 years of plant sales. She was a 39-year member of Bowdoinham’s Planning Board, a 65-year grange member, and 52-year member of Eastern Star. She was actively involved in her children’s interests in 4-H, traveling the summer Maine Fair circuit to show their Angus cattle in competitions. Billie was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout leader. She operated Paper Tiger, a party supply store, for more than six years. She volunteered, then worked, at Mt. Ararat Library for over 18 years. Billie was known locally for her fantastic apple pies.

Billie is survived by her husband; her son, Fulton Oakes III, herdaughters Heather Popadak (Cliff Friend), Holly Savage (Elmer), and Hillary Kuhl (William); and 10 cherished grandchildren, Katrena and Samantha Oakes and Cynthia Vintinner; Kathryn, Jennifer, and Amanda Popadak; Jacob and Caleb Savage; and William and Sophia Kuhl. She is a proud great-grandmother to Paxton and Finley Vintinner, with great-granddaughter, Vintinner due in October. She leaves several nieces, nephews; and bonus family members Nancy and Andrew Ritchie and Evelyn Twist.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her sisters Winifred and Wendy.

Please visit Kincer Funeral Home in Richmond for the full obituary.

Billie’s celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21 at Enterprise Grange, 15 Alexander Reed Rd., Richmond. We encourage you to bring memories to share.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

*Bowdoinham Historical Society

P.O. Box 101

Bowdoinham, ME 04008;

*Eastern Star, Electa Chapter

72 Smith St., Unit 4

Augusta, ME 04330;

*Enterprise Grange

15 Alexander Reed Rd.

Richmond, ME 04357; or

*Bowdoinham Public Library

13A School St.

Bowdoinham, ME 04008