William (Bill) Raymond Sharrar was born in Portland, Oregon on August 1, 1923, the son of Glenn and Lucy Sharrrar. He had two sisters, Charlotte and Kathryn. and a brother Glenn, all deceased. His family endured much hardship through the Depression years, and the early deaths of both of his sisters at age 5 and age 21 years old.

He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at age 16, working in rural eastern Oregon repairing and building fences., sending his earnings home to help support his family. At age 17, he enlisted in the peacetime Navy. He served for one year and one day when World War II began. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor on the USS Bagley when the Japanese attacked on the morning of December 7th, 1941, He served almost 5 years fighting in the South Pacific, including Savo Island. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds in battle while serving to defend his country.

After the war, he met his bride-to-be, Patricia Rose Drapeau, whom he married on May 7th, 1949 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Portland. They moved southwest to rural property outside of Mt. Angel, Oregon, with the intention of farming and an ideal of raising their family surrounded by the "air, space and light" of the agricultural countryside. In 1955, they moved into town on an acre of land and raised their 7 children - 6 daughters and one son - on the home property.

Bill was a devoted husband and father, beloved by many and friend of many in his community. He served faithfully in St. Mary's parish in many capacities -ushering, bringing communion to the sick and home-bound, and sitting with the dying at Benedictine Nursing home. He spent countless hours at Mt Angel Abbey, walking to the hill before dawn almost every day for years, for morning prayer, He loved woodworking and restoration, cabinet making, gardening, bee-keeping, growing dahlias and all aspects of maintaining his home and caring for his acre of land, His craftsmanship and handiwork fill his home. He loved classical music and opera. He was adored by his large, extended family and many friends.

Bill was a member of the American Legion, marching in numerous Mt. Angel Memorial and Independence Day parades, and speaking to many groups about his war experience as a Pearl Harbor survivor. He was especially proud of the service of his son Michael in the US Marine Corp, as well as the service of his great-granddaughter Erika Meyers in the US Navy. He always welcomed visitors into his home with the greeting "Welcome to the USS Neversail!"...

He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 69 years; his daughters Mary Elizabeth, Therese Marie and husband Roger Smedstad, Dorothy Mercedes, Margaret Mary and husband Mike Plumb, Rose Virginia, Kathryn Marie and husband Mike Honan, and son, Michael John and wife Tiffany; as well as eighteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.

Bill died peacefully in his home at dawn on the morning of August 7, 2018. He was 95 years old. A favorite prayer was read by his family at his bedside: "O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and busy world lies hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last."

Rosary will be Thurs. Aug 9th, 7pm with viewing 1 hour prior with Mass on Friday, Aug 10th, 11am, both will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Angel.