Surrounded by his loving family whom he cherished, Bill France of Silverton, Oregon went to be with our Lord on Sunday, January 27, 2019.
Bill was born in Tipton, Iowa on August 23, 1922. At an early age he moved to Inglewood, California. He served in the Army in WWII from 1942 – 1946. He then went to work for the Inglewood Post Office starting out by delivering mail from a bicycle. In 1951 Bill married his loving wife Barbara Gwaltney.
He built several family homes and settled in Chatsworth, California where he and Barbara raised three daughters. In 1964 he built the family cabin in the High Sierras at Huntington Lake, California that his family enjoyed for 30 years, Bill loved his fishing boat and the early morning hours of trolling for Kokanee and Trout. He bought a ski boat for his family and spent hours behind the wheel dragging kids from far and wide around the lake.
After a long career, in 1977 Bill retired as postmaster in Chatsworth, California. In 1979, Bill and Barbara moved to Silverton, Oregon to be near family. He built another home there and enjoyed working in real estate for several years.
In 1992, Bill fully retired and bought an Airstream trailer. They joined the Wally Byam Caravan Club and traveled many miles throughout the United States and Canada.
Bill lived a life dedicated to his Lord and his family. He was a longtime member of the Silverton First Baptist Church. He is survived by Barbara, his devoted wife of 67 years, his three daughters Chris Berg, Jeannie Herr (Scott Fritcher) and Sue (Phil) Skirvin, his six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren: Rebecca (Joe) Kuenzi, their children Nicole, Kaden, Grace and Sadyee; Kristie (Nate) Axmaker, their children Molly and Logan; Darla (TJ) DeSantis and their children Brianna, Kyle and Ruby; Kellie (Aaron) Kannowski and their children Matthew and Drew; Katie (Chris) Lander and their children Grayson, Travis and Ryan; and Brian (Anfesa) Berg; and his brother George France.
Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse or Wounded Warriors.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30pm, Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the First Baptist Church in Silverton. Private interment at Valley View Cemetery. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel, Silverton.