William Judson, a former town manager of Thomaston and Lincoln and a former SAD 3 business manager, died this week, succumbing to cancer.

Judson, who was a retired Navy officer, was town manager for Thomaston from 1987 to 1988 and from 1990 to 1993.

In between his service to Thomaston, Judson worked as business manager for SAD 3 in Unity and as an industrial security expert for a South Portland firm. His municipal career included stints as town manager for Lincoln and Bethel.

He died Saturday at Togus Veterans Administration Medical Center in Augusta at age 67.

“He was a true gentleman,” said Mark Strong, a former Thomaston selectman, on Thursday.

Born Feb. 2, 1938, in Washington, D.C., Judson grew up in Long Branch, N.J., where he graduated from Long Branch High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University.

During his Navy career, he served as a line officer aboard seven ships before retiring with 20 years of active service.

Several years after leaving his Thomaston post, Judson and his wife, Theresa Judson, moved to Cushing to enjoy retirement. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, three sons and a daughter.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 6 tonight at the Friendship United Methodist Church, Friendship. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday in Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport, N.J.