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Condolences:

Kathy Bland

Kathleen I’m sorry sorry for your loss. Lots of love and good memories to help sustain you.

Ronnie & Juli Stoots

What an honor to call him friend. Our hearts are full of live for you Kathleen. We will always treasure the art from both of you.

Rosemary Szczygiel

An inspiring teacher and prolific artist, Bill will be remembered. An amazing person, a warm and welcoming personality, Bill will be missed by many.

Mandy and Orlando Urena

Bill: what a jolly being, so fun and full of life! How lucky we were to have spent Chris and Nicole’s wedding day with Bill and Kathy, chatting, dancing and taking photos. We will treasure that precious time last May. With love and sincere condolences to Bill’s family and friends xx

Dianne Febles

My deepest sympathy to you, Kathleen. May your memories of joyful times sustain you in your sorrow. Peace.

Melinda Willaford

I will always treasure the time spent downtown sketching with Bill and out group. My deepest thsnks for his nurturing of our artistic endeavors, as Anne said with diplomacy. The coffee shop will never be the same Bill! And thanks to Kathleen for sharing him with us.

Jacqueline Menoret

William was a true friend who appreciated France and its culture, having a high opinion of friendship. May he rest in peace. Jacqueline, his friend and neighbor from Cannes, and his grandson Hugo.

Wendy Wessels

When I first moved to Amelia I was looking for local at at the Shrimp Festival! I quickly fell in love with Bill’s beautiful watercolors! Years later I asked if I might join his classes! I had many years taking lessons with Bill and Neil Colman sipping wine and sparring with each other! Such an amazing and fun class. I still have and will treasure always many of his originals! Rest in peace Bill you will be missed by many family and friends.

Deborah Chase Roberts

Meeting you and Kathleen was true serendipity. Fellow artists and personal friends to my late art mentor Lucille La Mont . You all deep in the tapestry of local contributing and professional artists . I loved your Watercolor Workshops , painting along but distracted by the spontaneity of your artistic style. Our community is blessed with many public installations of spectacular murals depicting our island . Your wonderful book filled with local architecture… your forte . I will miss your sense of humor with Facebook comments and pokes . Thanks for sharing your memories with Lucille and being my friend for the 23 years since . You lived a most accomplished and prosperous lifetime filled with so much love from family and friends . Your presence is missed but your legacy of fine art remains for all to admire and remember a true ‘Super Man ‘. You fought a good fight my friend … Rest in Peace ♾️

Michelle VALLA

Toutes mes sincères condoléances. Que de bons souvenirs français partagés avec William à Cannes. Avec toute mon affection. Michelle

Eileen Geisler

Mr Bill, you will truly be missed. Over the past ten years I've enjoyed our twice a month visits. You and Ms. Kathy were two of the very few people I looked forward to seeing. Your love was one people wait their whole life time for. The sparkle in your eyes when you looked at each other or spoke of each other. True fairytale moments. I'm praying for your whole family. Life definitely won't be the same for me your precious wife, your family, and anyone else who has had the pleasure of spending time with you.

Judith H. Turner

To Kathleen and family, always think of Him as your comfort in your darkest moments. Your companion in your illuminated ones and your eternal inspiration. With deepest sympathy from the Dave Turner family and Dave Turner Plumbing Company.

Robert M. Foster

A true friend, an outstanding intellect and an amazing artist. The legal community appreciates his support and contributions that adorn the halls of both of the County’s Courthouses, along with Kathleen’s. He will be missed.

Dickie and Shelly Anderson

A true artist in all aspects of his amazing life. Will be missed by all.Thoughts with Kathleen and family.

Carol Lavin

Dear Kathleen, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Anne Oman

Bill was a great teacher, mentor and friend. Some of my happiest hours were spent meeting him and the group at Amelia Island Coffee and wandering around downtown till we found just the right subject, He always had something nice of say about our work, which required both kindness and diplomacy. Sessions were often followed by lunch, with lots of repartee and reminiscences from Bill. I will miss him.ninbantdher, menfil

John Hendricks

Bill was a extremely talented artist and friend. His kindness to the West Nassau Historical Society was warm and genuine. Bill created many f our Railroad Day logos which hang on the historic Callahan Train Depot walls. He will be missed.

Suzanne and John Batchelor

We've lost a kind, intelligent and artistic soul whose artwork and books grace hundreds of homes around Amelia Island. Bill was one of the four original "grumpy old men", a group of locals who meet weekly with John. We feel this loss tremendously and wish the sincerest heartfelt sympathy to his family and friends, particularly Kathleen whose enduring love carried him during his recent trials. May God Bless.

Mac Morriss

One of the originals of the local Grumpy Old Men's Club. We all looked forward to our weekly meetings. It's not the same without you Bill. The world is now a bit less interesting with you gone home to God. God bless you Bill and your family.

Susie Spicer

William impacted our community and our lives so tremendously. Such a talented and smart man, with a heart full of kindness and love. He will be terribly missed.

Nancy and Jim Mayo

What a man was Bill Maurer. His legacy in beautiful paintings is breathtaking. His many other accomplishments elicit awe. What is most memorable, however, is his love for Kathleen and hers for him. Peace be with you Kathleen. May the hole in your heart heal but may you always sense Bill by your side.

William Robert Maurer, Jr.

2023-08-06

William Robert Maurer, Jr., an esteemed artist, architect, watercolorist, teacher, and author, passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on August 6, 2023, at Community Hospice Warner Center in Fernandina Beach after a courageous battle with illness.

Born in 1937 in New York City to William Robert Maurer and Caroline Dorothy Nurnberger. William's early years in St. Albans, Queens shaped his creative spirit. His family's move to West Hempstead, Long Island nurtured his passion for art and design, leading him to pursue his dreams.

Following high school, William embarked on his academic journey at Pratt Institute, completing a challenging five-year program. His insatiable thirst for knowledge led him to obtain a Master's degree in architecture from the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Paris soon called to William, and he apprenticed with the famed French architect Jean Fayeton. This transformative experience inspired further studies at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Returning to New York, he made his mark as an accomplished design architect before professional pursuits took him to Casablanca, Morocco. His decade-long practice there left an indelible mark on the architectural landscape.

William's life was a rich tapestry of artistic expression. He painted full time in Paris and Honfleur, France, and was an active member of the École des Beaux-Arts in Cannes. His watercolors and architectural designs were celebrated worldwide.

William's passion went beyond his artistry. Not only was he fluent in French, but he was also an enthusiastic collector of rare historical artifacts and an aficionado of challenging crossword puzzles. His diverse interests were mirrored in his talents. He dedicated hours to constructing detailed scale models of WWI-era airplanes and intricate ship models, each piece a testament to his meticulous attention to detail.

A devoted educator, William taught plein air sketch classes in Fernandina's historic district for 15 years, inspiring countless students. His commitment to his community was unwavering, and he was known for his generosity and involvement in local causes.

William's love and devotion to family were the bedrock of his life, and his role as a loving husband to Kathleen, father to Jean-Philippe, Constance, Elene Alexandra, Maximilian Singleton, and Christian-Luc, and a cherished grandfather to his twelve grandchildren were among his proudest achievements. He was a supportive brother to Joan Hargett, and an adored figure to his step-children Jennean Veale, Marcus Shively, and Adam Shively. Family gatherings were filled with laughter and storytelling, and he took immense joy in nurturing the unique talents and passions of each family member. Whether it was building models with his grandchildren, sharing his love of art with his children, or enjoying a quiet evening with Kathleen, William's commitment to his family was unwavering. His wisdom, guidance, and unconditional love will continue to resonate in the hearts of those he leaves behind, etching his memory into the very fabric of their lives.

William's extraordinary life will be celebrated at funeral services on Friday, August 18th, at 11:00 a.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach. All who knew and admired him are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a charity reflecting William's love for art and community.

William Robert Maurer's story is one of relentless pursuit, creative mastery, and compassionate mentorship. His influence will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who were privileged to know him and in the artistic world he so profoundly impacted.

Memories

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