PORTLAND – J. Donald MacWilliams, a longtime television sports reporter and anchorman, died March 31. He was 86.

MacWilliams, former sports director at WCSH-TV, Portland, served as the station’s sports anchorman from 1953 until his retirement in 1977.

Known for his focus on local sports, MacWilliams delivered more than 15,000 sportscasts during a broadcasting career that spanned nearly 40 years.

The author of two books about Maine sports, he was honored as Maine Sportscaster of the Year in 1962 and 1967 and was inducted into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

While appearing on television, he served as a member of the Portland City Council. A fiscal conservative, he often was outvoted by his more liberal colleagues and found himself on the losing end of 8-1 votes.

MacWilliams is survived by his wife, Helen, and their six children.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at St. Patrick’s Church in Portland.