William "Bill" Roland Bender Jr.

Born in Oakland CA to father William Bender and mother Carmela Lucia ‘Lucy’ Gigliotti. Raised in Gresham OR where his mother worked at the old Gresham Café. Bill was part of a large extended family consisting of many aunts, uncles and cousins of the Bender, Gigliotti and Chiodo families in Gresham during the 1940’s thru 1960’s. Bill attended Gresham public schools and attended St Henry Catholic church. Bill was also part of the church’s Columbian Squires, and was an honorary lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. In the 1960’s Bill served in the Army and was stationed in Germany for about 2 years.

Bill had been involved in many and varied pursuits in his life. In the late 1960’s when he learned to swim as an adult, he then took scuba lessons and later became a scuba instructor as part of a scuba diving club. He and others in the scuba class traveled to different locations including Hood Canal.

In the early 70’s Bill learned to hang-glide and then became a hang-gliding instructor. He was a Club officer and remained an honorary lifetime member in the Oregon Hang-Gliding Association. Three years ago, Bill attended the Club’s 40th anniversary event in Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda. In the 1980’s Bill became part of a gay men and women’s square-dance club called the Rosetown Ramblers, which is still in existence today. At the Portland Pride festival’s waterfront area, Bill would volunteer to encourage men and women to join in the fun of square-dancing.

Although Bill in his early years had worked in food catering, estate sales, and once owned and operated a florist shop in Beaverton, his 25 year professional career was as a Parole and Probations Officer for Multnomah County.

Bill’s greatest enthusiasm was his involvement with the Border Riders Motorcycle Club (BRMC), a gay men’s motorcycle club, which he was involved with since the 1980’s before becoming a member of the Club in 1996. Although, he was also a member of a local Harley Davidson club and became their motorcycle safety training officer, Bill’s was dedicated to the BRMC where had served as a Club officer and was still an active member at the time of his passing.

In 2006, Bill met his future husband John ‘Jack’ Osterberg and later that year Jack moved into Bill’s house in the Portland’s Overlook neighborhood. Bill’s house had already been a center of activity especially at Christmas when he (and former partner Ted Mistler), held elaborate Christmas open house events where neighbors came by for holiday treats and enjoyed the holiday decorations. When Bill and Jack bought a large 1890 Victorian home in Astoria, they continued the open house tradition. Last year a dozen Christmas trees and other finery decorated the house. During Astoria’s cruise ship season, Bill provided tours of the house for cruise ship passengers. Under Bill’s ambitious master-plan, the Astoria house has been renovated and redecorated, with many interior and exterior improvements.

Bill passed away October 20, 2014 due to sudden cardiac arrest. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Carmela Bender; and beloved sister, Mary Lou Gillette. Remaining family include, his husband, John “Jack” Osterberg; and many nephews and cousins.

Remembrances and donations in lieu of flowers should be sent to Boystown USA, a favorite charity of Bill’s (www.boystown.org), or to a charity of your choice. A celebration of Bill’s life will take place at his home on Dec. 6th from 2-6pm in Astoria.