Bill was born on the first day of August 1930 in South Tottenham, London England to George Alfred and Lilian May (Morris). The youngest of four, he was sometimes referred to as the baby, even when he was grown up. When he arrived in this world, he had his fists clenched and was waving them around. His Grandmother said “there is a John Willy” – a famous fighter in those days. His father chose to name him William Henry after one of his brothers who was a boxing champion.
As a child growing up in London during World War II, he witnessed the devastation of war at a young age. His father would move the family around London seeking shelter from the bombings sometimes taking refuge in the subways with other families. Always a proud Londoner, he would tell the story of seeing the planes flying overhead to signal the end of the war with a tear in his eye. He was too young to join the Royal Air Force at the time, so he joined as soon as he turned 18.
Many years later, he met and married a young lady by the name of Eileen Turner from Lancashire. Together they had four daughters and two sons: Maxine, Susan, Michael, Loraine, Glen (Christy), and JoAnne (Jeff). Tragically, three of their children passed away as infants. Bill loved nothing more than to spend time with his children and grandchildren, Jonathan, Andrew, Brenna, Lynsey, Kelsey, and Sophia along with his great grandson Nash.
Bill was a machinist by trade, but was also a photographer, professional soccer player, real estate agent, and Police Reserve for Portland, Clackamas County, and Gladstone. He had many hobbies which included camping, hunting and fishing, trapshooting, racing vintage motorcycles, and spending time with his family. A lover of all animals, he was known as an animal whisperer. He never met an animal that didn’t love him back.
William Henry was preceded in death by his parents, brothers George and Edward, sister Lilian May, children Maxine, Susan and Michael, and granddaughter, Brenna Marissa Collacchi.
Our Dad and Grandpa is loved so much and will be missed by many. His final resting place will be back home in England. We will be celebrating him with a pint of Guinness, bangers and mash, and a good bar of chocolate.
We invite family and friends to Bill’s Celebration of Life Sunday, the Eighth of March at 2:00 o’clock at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home 520 W Powell, Gresham.
