William C. Masters III

Mike is survived by his children, William C. Masters IV, Allison Masters, and Alex Masters-Petrak (Joe Petrak); his beloved grandchildren, Declan Tompkins and Remy Petrak; and his sister, Chris Masters. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly fifty years, Victoria “Vickie” Masters, and his mother, Elaine Masters.

If you wanted to understand Mike, there were four things that mattered most to him: family, music, creativity, and the outdoors. Those four passions defined the way he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.

Mike was a devoted husband, father, Pop Pop, businessman, musician, and friend. He worked hard, took care of the people he loved, and was the steady presence his family could always count on.

After knowing Vickie for only a few months, he knew she was the one. Together they built a beautiful life and family and shared nearly fifty years of marriage rooted in love, laughter, partnership, and devotion.

Music wasn’t just something Mike enjoyed- it was part of who he was. As a drummer and singer in several bands throughout his life, he found joy behind a drum set and in front of a microphone.

Mike was the epitome of DIY. There wasn’t much he couldn’t build, repair, or improve, and he genuinely loved the challenge of a new project. Whether it was woodworking, home improvements, tinkering with a broken toy, or finding a creative solution to a problem, he found joy in working with his hands.

Creativity was simply part of who Mike was. Long before owning LJ Boss Jewelry Co., he had a passion for designing and creating custom jewelry. After taking over the business in 1986, he spent decades turning that passion into a legacy defined by exceptional craftsmanship. Working alongside his daughter, Allison, for over 22 years became one of the most meaningful chapters of his life. He loved sharing his knowledge and passion with her, watching her grow, and further build the company.

His favorite place was Tidioute. Whether on a canoe or kayak on the river or simply sitting on the swing overlooking the water with family and friends nearby, that was where he felt most at peace. He gave his children a lifelong love of the outdoors, adventure, and the simple joy of being together in nature. His love of Tidioute made it a special place for his family and will always be a place where they feel close to him and Vickie.

Above all else, Mike’s greatest accomplishment was his family. Becoming PopPop to Declan and Remy brought him a special kind of joy. He taught all of us that strength doesn’t have to be loud, that creativity should never stop, that music belongs in every home, and that some of life’s best moments happen around a campfire, on a river, or simply with the people you love.

While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing Mike is reunited with his beloved Vickie. He will be missed every day, loved always, and remembered forever.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Mike in the coming weeks.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lyme and tick-bourne illness research: https://www.palyme.org/donate-2