He was born in Yonkers, N.Y., and raised in Ardsley, N.Y., a son of Willis and Ann (Phelan) Anderson.
Will graduated from Cornell University where he began his lifelong passion of collecting breweriana, a word he coined, meaning antique beer memorabilia. This collection led to his authoring nine beer books, including “The Beer Book,” (1973), which afforded him the opportunity to be on “The Today Show” and “What’s My Line.”
He was co-founder of the East Coast Breweriana Association. Will also wrote books on roadside architecture, baseball, basketball and ’50s rock ‘n’ roll. Will was proud of his adoptive state and wrote several Maine books including “Good Old Maine,” “When Rock and Roll Rocked Maine” and “Here’s to Hoops.” Will received the state of Maine Historic Preservation Award for his “diligent and dedicated service in support of Maine’s historic and cultural heritage.”
In 2002, he was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame for his baseball writing, not because of his “prowess,” he would point out. Will was a member of the committee to bring professional baseball to Maine (Sea Dogs) and chaired the name the team committee.
Will hosted radio shows in Maine and Connecticut demonstrating his love and incredible knowledge of early rock ‘n’ roll. One of his fondest memories was the 14,000-mile cross country trip he and his wife made to research his favorite book, “Where have you Gone, Starlight Café.”
He is survived by his wife Catherine Buotte of Bath, his sons, Carl and his wife Paula of Milford, Mass., and Curt and his wife Tracy of Glastonbury, Conn., grandchildren, Kelsey, Lindsey, Matthew and Jack, his sister, Carol Fortier and her husband Alexander of Westerly, R.I., and a niece, Lorna O’Malley of Winchendon, Mass., and many friends and fans.
The family would like to thank CHANS (and especially Allison Reynolds) and Aging Excellence for their care and support.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at Daigle Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or support.pdf.org. Condolences may be made online at www.Daiglefuneralhome.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
