Willard (Bill) Ernest Wilson III
June 9, 1942 - October 23, 2022
Obituary
On Sunday, October 23, 2022, Willard (Bill) Ernest Wilson III, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 80 from a cranial hemorrhage as he was traveling to his beloved annual elk hunting trip in Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon.
Bill was born June 9, 1942, in Grants Pass Oregon, to Willard II and Marian, while his father was serving in WWII. He received his pharmacy degree from Oregon State University where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He used his degree to become Senior Vice President of Pay Less Drug Northwest. Bill married Kathleen on July 6, 1968, and together they had two daughters Donielle and Nicole.
Bill had a passion for hobbies, good friendships, and travel. He was so proud of restoring and showing his 1968 Porsche and taking it on long drives. Bill loved boating with his family between Seattle and Alaska for 34 years, driving around Europe, and attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. He enjoyed skiing, backpacking, fishing, snowmobiling, kayaking, computers, and golf. Bill and Kathy enjoyed walking the beach in San Carlos, Mexico for the last 16 years where Bill was president of the Rotary Club and raised funds for the local community.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Willard and Marian, and sister Linda. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kathleen (Arizona), sister Mary Kathleen and brother-in-law Roger Larson (Lakeview, OR), daughters Donielle (New York), and Nicole and son-in-law Kevin Gorman (Seoul, South Korea), four granddaughters Ella, Ava, Kate, and Rose, an uncle, many cousins, nieces, and a nephew.
We will celebrate Bill’s life this summer. His cremated remains will be spread in his most favorite and meaningful locations: Stewart Island in the San Juan Islands, San Carlos, Mexico, Eagle Cap Wilderness, and Grants Pass, Oregon.
My condolences, Kathy, to you and the family. Hope to see all this summer
to reminisce and remember the good times in Bill’s life.
Mike
Kathy, Coco, Doni & family, our hearts go out to you, we will miss Bill. Looking forward to celebrating his life next summer to revisit the good times we all had. Pat
Kathy we are so sorry for you’re loss. We enjoyed getting to know you and Bill in San Carlos. Fun memories ❤️
SOO many memories and adventures shared with love and laughter
Dear Kathy, Bill’s warm smile will be missed. We will always remember him as a man who strived to make San Carlos a better place. Both Luis and I feel lucky to have met him as we both admired him so much. Please receive our deep condolences. Sending you a big hug!
Dearest Kathy,
So so sorry for your loss. There are few words at a time like this and time is the only healer. Bill lives on through all of you and the shared memories.
Sincere condolences,
Amber and Faisal
Kathy, I have a wonderful memory of our visit to your home in Oregon. We had so much fun and you and Bill were so gracious, you made us feel so welcome during our stay. I am so sorry for your loss and know he will be missed by many.
I am saddened by the loss. Wishing you all the best.
Patricia and i have many fond memories of time spent with Bill and Kathy. Bill made a huge impact on both sides of the border. We are deeply saddened by his passing.
Bill was a special kind of man. He was never satisfied with “just good enough”. It had to be just right. My fondest memory of Bill was when we were salmon fishing near Sullivan Bay, B.C. We hooked onto a fish when our line went crazy. It was rapidly being stripped off the reel and Bill said that he couldn’t hold the rod much longer. We were fishing with braided nylon line but couldn’t break it with our hands, I cut it with my knife. A whale had taken our lure! Much relieved, we still had our rod and reel. I wonder who was the happiest, Bill, I, or the whale?
My wife and I will miss Bill so much. Kathy, you and your family have our condolences.
Our thoughts are with you all, Kathy. We have many great memories of Bill. I can’t count how many walks we had with Bill and Finlay along the beach at Bahia Delfin. Bill and Finlay had a close bond as well – they were always happy to see each other!
We’ll miss him.
Kathy, Doug and I are so very sorry for your family’s loss. Bill’s smile and kindness was always welcoming on our winter visit to our San Carlos Paradise weather meeting him on morning walks or at the sunset wall get togethers❤️ hugs