Will Anderson Author of The Beer Book Dies
BATH, ME Willis (Will) Saunders Anderson, 74, died Saturday,, March 7, 2015, at this
residence with his wife and sons by his side. He was born in Yonkers, New York and raised in
Ardsley, New York, 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 50 s Rock and 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 (Seadogs) and chaired the name the team
committee.
Will hosted radio shows in Maine and Connecticut demonstrating his love and incredible knowledge of early rock and
roll. One of his fondest memories was the 14,000 mile cross county trip he and his wife made to research is 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, Massachusetts and Curt and his wife Tracy of Glastonbury, Connecticut; grandchildren,
Kelsey, Lindsey, Matthew and Jack; his sister, Carol Fortier and her husband Alexander of Westerly, Rhode Island and a
niece, Lorna O Malley of Winchendon, MA, and many friends and fans.
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