Creighton William Palmer

Creighton William Palmer, “Will”, 89, of Avenue, MD, passed away on June 26, 2024, in Leonardtown, MD. Born on August 20, 1934 at home with his uncle, Dr. Vic Palmer, assisting with the delivery, he was the son of the late Veronica Bostwick and the late Wilmer Edwin Palmer. Will is survived by his sisters, M. Ruth P. Kelly of Salisbury, MD and Catherine P. Robinson of Avenue, MD. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Eleanor P. Ferko. Will was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and graduated from Margaret Brent High School in 1953. He was a wooden boat builder for Palmer’s Boatyard for 58 years, retiring in 2014. Will served in the United States Army for three years, from December 29, 1953 to December 14, 1956, and was a radio technician. He served between wars, so he always felt as though “that was the only vacation I ever had.” His travels while on duty included Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Paris, France. Will was fascinated by the Dutch wooden shoes, and he even got to see the real Moulin Rouge. When he returned home, he stayed in his aunt’s home; each morning he walked over to his parents’ home and started the stove to prepare breakfast for his parents and Brenda. He would make homemade biscuits each day for their lunch. Will took care of his mother and father until their passing. Also upon returning home from the Army, he began his own Wooden Boat Building company and came to use his father’s shop. He also did any railway work as needed, and even went on to build a second railway while repairing and painting the boats. Many hours were spent sanding, cleaning, and painting. He was well-known for his excellent painting skills, and many said how great the boats looked after he was finished. No one was a stranger to Will, and he could talk boats with everyone—locals or “city folk.” Will joined the family each Sunday for dinner. He loved fried oysters, but always expected to have a roll or bread, and also looked forward to dessert. He spent several years in an assisted living facility, until he eventually needed nursing home care. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Peter Ackerman officiating. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Hutson, Ricky Morris, Chris Richards, Brody Richards, Robert Suite, Millard Owens, Leroy Blackistone, and Bill Ferko. Contributions may be made to the 7th District Vol. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609 and/or A.C.T.S. (A Community That Shares), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, MD 20618. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.