William H. Maynard Jr. died Thursday, April 15 at his home in Larchmont, N.Y., with his family by his side. He was 81.

Bill was born to William H. and Charlotte (Wadlin) Maynard in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1929. He grew up in Highland, N.Y. with his brother Frederick and sister Audrey (now deceased). He was president of his class at Highland High and played for the state champion Highland High football team. He graduated from Union College in 1950 and served his country in Korea as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army’s 936th Field Artillery Battalion. In 1954, he married Marilyn Goewey of Newburgh, N.Y. The couple settled in Larchmont, N.Y. where they raised four children.

Bill and Marilyn’s relationship with the Vineyard started when they honeymooned at Menemsha Inn and Cottages in 1954. Once they had the means, they began spending every August in Aquinnah with their kids. Upon Bill’s retirement from the first of his several careers, they purchased their Aquinnah home and began spending the entire summer season on the Island. Bill and Marilyn’s greatest love was spending time together with their children and grandchildren in their up-Island paradise.

An active member of the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head, Bill’s Vineyard life was multi-dimensional. He has exhibited paintings at the All-Island Art Show, crewed for the Moffet Race, loved sailing his catboat out of Menemsha Pond, and he golfed with the “Noonies” at Mink Meadows every chance he had. His love for the Vineyard even inspired Bill to pen a song entitled Gay Head, and he enjoyed leading his family in sing-alongs of this and other songs.

Professionally, a successful career in advertising led to executive creative roles at Ted Bates Worldwide, the Colgate-Palmolive Company, and Backer Spielvogel Bates. Bill has also worked as a sports writer, a magazine contributing editor, and has written five books for children — Rock River, Incredible Ned, Quiet, Wyatt!, Santa’s Time Off, and Pondfire. He was also an accomplished painter and pianist and an avid golfer and sailor.

He is survived by his loving wife Marilyn; his brother Fred and his wife Venus; daughter Laurie and sons William H. Maynard 3rd, Christopher and Mary (Devine), and Jeffrey; and grandchildren William H. Maynard 4th, Sarah Oommen, Elvis Maynard, Wyatt Maynard, Hannah Maynard, Luke Maynard and Liam Maynard.

Bill was buried at the Highland Cemetery on April 20. A memorial service in celebration of his life was held April 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Larchmont, N.Y.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Community Baptist Church of Gay Head, Box 2787, Vineyard Haven, MA 02535.