William Robert Gale

William Robert Gale passed peacefully out of this life on Nov. 25, 2011 at his home in Hood River. He was born Oct. 4, 1923 to Donald Robert Gale and Miskell Bloom Gale in Union, Oregon. He was born in the house his father was born in, which was built by his grandfather and great uncle. He grew up in Union and graduated from Union High School, where he was active in sports, (football, track and field, and Golden Gloves boxing), and FFA.

Bill won a Union Pacific scholarship to Oregon State University, but gave it up when he was drafted into World War II. He joined the 10th Mountain Division, the famous 'soldiers on skis', and trained at Camp Hale in Colorado. He was a Staff Sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star.

After the war he attended Oregon State University, where he was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity, and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Horticulture in 1950.

Upon graduation he moved to Hood River, Oregon and worked for Food Machinery Corporation, Niagra Chemical Division as a field manager. In 1951 he married Margie Carolyn Bryan. They had a daughter, Kathleen, and a son, Robert. Bill and Margie purchased the farm on Dethman Ridge where he lived the rest of his life. Margie passed away in 1964. Bill married Francis Yayoi Sono in 1966. They had a daughter, Stephanie.

Bill was active in Crag Rats, serving as Big Squeak in 1959; Pine Grove Fire Dept.; the Hood River Elks, American Legion, and JACL. He was preceded in death by his sister, Donna. He is survived by his wife, Francis, 3 children, Kathleen (Don Morris) of Corvallis, Robert of Seattle, and Stephanie (Tom McKnight) of Hood River; 5 grandchildren (Connor, Rowan and Mieka McKnight of Hood River, William (Natalie) Morris of Phoenix, Arizona and Sam Morris of Spokane and 2 great grandchildren (Isaac and Mahina Morris of Spokane).

A small private family service is planned with a celebration of life for family and friends to be held at a later date. Bill will be laid to rest at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.