Dream castle fit for a King > 18-year project near completion for Raymond man

RAYMOND — After nearly two decades of work, a man named King is finally living in the castle of his dreams.

William Edward King, 39, has taken up permanent residence in the 4,000-square-foot wood and cinder block fortress, a blend of Victorian, Oriental and Gothic architecture anchored by twin 55-foot towers.

The castle that sits atop a small hill near Sebago Lake in Raymond has become a legend, as has its owner.

Neighbors were skeptical at first, but after 18 years they can see King’s dream becoming reality. “People are believing, now that I’ve done it,” he said.

The 14-room, 48-window castle includes a ballroom, elliptical foyer, secret stairwells, a Spanish suit of armor, chandeliers and antiques King began collecting as a youngster. An oil furnace and 800 feet of copper piping have been installed in the structure.

“Ten years ago there was no roof and rain was dropping all the way down and I think people were saying, `Gee, I think he’s trying real hard, but he’ll never do it.’ But now,” he said, “I guess I’m getting a little respect.”

He has installed the roof — it took 63 sheets of plywood — and the rest of his home is shaping up, although there’s still work to be done.

“A friend stopped by and told me I just had piddly stuff left to go,” he said, pausing to survey the bare walls and floors cluttered with tools and antiques. “There’s quite a bit of that piddly stuff.”

Besides the painting, pounding and designing still needed on the inside, the outside of the structure must be covered in white stucco. An elegant columned portico, teardrop driveway, revolving bookcase and massive white-marbled fireplace are future projects, King said.

King, who is single, has lots of time for working on the castle since he was recently laid off from his job as an architectural draftsman. “Now I’ve got all kinds of time on my hands, but I don’t have any money to buy anything,” he said.

Not to worry. That’s not likely to keep him from finishing the project he started in 1972.

With the help of friends, he began by laying the foundation. The roof was installed in 1979. In 1986, the roofs were installed on the towers, enclosing the 19-foot cathedral ceilings. The winding staircase, started in 1983, took five years to complete.

Originally, King thought his labor of love would be completed in five years. Now, he is aiming at July 10, 1992, the 20th anniversary of the issuance of his building permit.

“I didn’t set out to build a castle,” he said, “I just wanted something I could be comfortable in.”

The dream began when he was 14 years old. While running his own antique shop from his parents’ 23-room boarding home in Raymond, he decided he wanted a home that would reflect his personality and be big enough to display his wares.

Over the years he has spent $80,000 on the project. When it is finished, he expects his total will remain below $100,000.

He said he’s satisfied with progress on his home, whose decorations include reproductions of paintings of Napoleon and Louis XIV with King’s face inserted in their place. Books and antiques are piled in many of the rooms.

“I think I need a bigger house,” he said.