William "Bill" Howard Finkle

A Wise Man is one who teaches by the fine example of his life.

A Strong Man is one who has worked hard and always done his best for his family.

This man was Bill Finkle.

William Howard Finkle (85), Portland, Oregon was born in Bismark North Dakota March 12, 1930 to Raymond and Viola Finkle. William went to be with his Lord December 1, 2015. He had one brother, Robert (Bob) Finkle, who passed away five years ago, one nephew Dan Finkle, and an extended family of numerous nieces and nephews. He is survived by a loving and devoted wife of nearly 60 years, Helen Finkle, three children Julie Haberman (Keith), Cynthia Penttila (Philip) of Aberdeen, WA, Timothy Finkle (Brenda) of Bend, OR and seven grandchildren: Kiersten Finkle, William Penttila, Andrew Penttila, Jeffrey Haberman, Kariann Penttila, Kody Haberman, and Emily Penttila.

Bill loved his Lord and was happiest at Church with family and friends. Bill was confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church and was married at Central Lutheran Church to Helen Aanderud in 1956. While at Central Lutheran Church he served as President and as a Sunday School teacher. He transferred to Resurrection Lutheran Church where he was a mentor for confirmation classes.

Bill attended Pacific Lutheran University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work and received his master’s degree from Portland State University. Bill served his community as a juvenile court counselor with Multnomah County for over three decades. He helped numerous young people. Many of them would stop him years later and tell him how much he changed their lives.

Bill and Helen loved ballroom dancing and were part of a dance club for many years. He loved going to the beach at Rockaway, OR. It was a special place for him. For a few years he volunteered as a guide for handicapped skiers. He and Helen played cards for many years every other week with a group of their closest friends. Working in his yard and watching the birds were two of his favorite past times.

Bill was loved more than he could have possibly known.

A memorial service will be held at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 1700 NE 132nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon, on Saturday, January 9, 2015, at 2pm.

Bill will be privately laid to rest in Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd., Portland, Oregon, (503) 292-6611.

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