Dec. 09, 1935 – Aug. 12, 2018
After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, William “Bill” Park passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 12th, 2018.
The fifth of seven children, Bill grew up off Rosemont Road in West Linn. A part of the original family homestead is now Marylhurst Heights Park. He was part of a large, loving family who valued serving others. He graduated from Our Lady of the Lake Elementary school and went on to High School at Mt. Angel Seminary. After High School, Bill met the love of his life Kathleen while they were attending Monmouth College. He then went on to get his law degree at Lewis and Clark Law School. After law school, he worked in downtown Portland as a deputy District Atty. In 1972 he moved his Family to Gearhart, OR where he served as the District Attorney of Clatsop County. A decade later, he and his family returned to Portland where he continued to practice law. Bill’s strength and love came from serving which he continued to do later in life when was ordained a Catholic Deacon.
Bill was a caring, fun loving husband, father, son, uncle and grandfather. Bill was a big strong man, both in statues and in the way he loved and cared for his family – both immediate and extended. He adored his nieces and nephews and was always the first to tell a corny joke. He never missed an opportunity to throw a football with one of his grandchildren, he happily sang in the church choir with his wife, and he loved to travel with his family and friends. Bill and Kathy loved Hawaii and Mexico; some of their best adventures were their travels to Europe. Ireland in particular was a favorite. Sunday drives with all the children were always memorable. If the family passed a fruit tree or berry bush Bill could never resist stopping the car and sampling.
Life will never be the same without Bill Park.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 years Kathleen Paque Park, his daughter Lisa Mistell (Husband-Greg), his son John (Wife-Kenna), his sister Roseanne Kloft, his brother John and his grandchildren Ryan, Jackie, Christian, and Michael. He was preceded in death by his parents, Morton and Odelia, his brothers, Mike, Jim, Morton, David and his beautiful daughter Patricia “Tricia” Park.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, August 25 at St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (The Madeleine-3123 NE 24th Ave/Portland, OR 97212). The Rosary will begin at 11:30 followed by a Funeral Mass at Noon. The Burial will be Tuesday at 3pm at Mt Calvary.
