YOUNGSTOWN — Farmers Trust Co. and the YSU Foundation have established the the William E. Maine Jr. Scholarship Fund.

The William E. Maine Jr. Trust was established at Farmers Trust Co. in 2017 upon the death of Maine. The YSU Foundation and Farmers Trust have partnered to ensure that his intentions of easing the financial barriers to higher education for deserving students from the Mahoning Valley were fulfilled. The total assets in the trust as of January were about $1.5 million.

The trustees of The William E. Maine Jr. Trust are Donald Bolland, a lifelong friend of William Maine; attorney Lawrence Richards, Maine’s lawyer; and Farmers Trust Co.

“This partnership with the YSU Foundation will ensure a streamlined process for prospective scholarship recipients along with efficient administration and timely distribution of scholarship funds,” Mark Wenick, Chief Wealth Management Officer at Farmers National Bank, stated in a news release.

William Maine was born in 1935 in Youngstown. He was a Kiski Academy and Culver Military Academy graduate. He was an engineer with the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and then started his own auto body business, becoming known as the “Dent Man.”

Maine was an avid water and snow skier and won many trophies and medals while skiing at Cypress Gardens, Vail and Aspen. He was a Mason and a member of the Youngstown Ski Club.

By partnering the Maine Trust with the YSU Foundation, the fund will have the opportunity to continue to grow through the years and be able to award more scholarships at greater values. The YSU Foundation manages funds for other organizations, such as the Hubbard Alumni Foundation, and administers scholarship programs outside of Youngstown State University, as well as scholarships that benefit YSU students.

“The YSU Foundation greatly appreciates the efforts of Larry, Don and Mark in establishing this impactful scholarship to honor Mr. Maine’s legacy,” said Brian Nord, chief development officer of the YSU Foundation.