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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 20, 2022)
12 Obituaries/Community January 20 2022 In Memory of... Wilfred (Bill) Earl James the eldest son of eight children, and Atlantic Oceans that were time beachcombing, clamming, brothers, Don and Edwin James; June 23, 1927 - December 27, 2021 Wilfred (Bill) E. James, 94, a resident of the For- est Grove community, formerly of Vernonia, died Monday eve- ning, December 27, 2021 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Cen- ter. Private Cremation Rites were held at the Hoyt Crematory in Forest Grove. A Celebration of Life Service will be scheduled in late spring in Vernonia. Bill was born in Glen- wood, Oregon on June 23, 1927 to Frank and Josephine (Fawver) James. He attended the Jedmore School in Glen- wood for eight years. Bill was Barbara, Margaret, Evelyn, El- oise, Edwin, Donald, and Rob- ert. His family moved to Hills- boro in 1941 where he attended Hillsboro High School. Dur- ing his high school years, Bill worked at Clem’s Place (later the Copperstone) in downtown Hillsboro helping to manage the bowling alley. He also spent a short period of time working at the Commercial Naval Ship- yard in Portland. In 1943, Bill enlisted in the Merchant Marines at the age of 16 and served for two years in the Atlantic providing vital aid and military person- nel to Europe during WWII. In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed basic training in Fort Lewis, Wash- ington. From basic training he was transferred to Fort Belvoir, Virginia to undergo training in aerial phototopography and re- ceived the 4 th highest security clearance in the Army. After completing training the Army sent him to Fort Amorde, Pan- ama. Due to his Merchant Ma- rine service, he was stationed on a mine planter destroyer, the USS Ringgold, which po- sitioned mines on the Pacific detonated by onshore batteries. The Canal was the main route Allied war and supply ships transitioned from the Pacific to the Atlantic oceans. Aboard this heavily armed ship, they patrolled 14 months on the Pa- cific side of the Panama Canal and two years on the Atlantic. The primary targets were Japa- nese and German submarines. After being discharged in September 1949, Bill had spent six years in the military and returned home to his child- hood sweetheart, Elaine Barber. They were married on October 22, 1949 and spent the next 20 plus years on their property in western Hillsboro with their children. He coached Little League Baseball and Elaine was a Cub Scout leader. Bill and Elaine raised their three children along with horses and cattle at their Hillsboro farm. He was employed at Carnation Can Company and then Tek- tronix from which he retired in 1986 as an Oscilloscope Pro- duction Engineer. They moved from Hill- sboro to Nedonna Beach, near Rockaway, and built their re- tirement home, spending their and fishing. Bill was a volun- teer at the Rockaway Beach Fire Dept. and was an avid ocean fisherman, hunter, gar- dener, and woodworker. Bill and Elaine had a great appre- ciation of flowers especially lilies, dahlias, and roses. He en- joyed the sports of basketball, football, and baseball. They also enjoyed dancing and sing- ing the oldies with the Senior Center Band. Bill loved to sing with the bands on all patriotic holidays. Bill and Elaine lived at Nedonna Beach on the Or- egon Coast for 11 years before building a home in Vernonia closer to their children. In Ver- nonia, Bill joined and became President of the Vernonia Se- nior Center and the Vernonia Lions Club. They were both volunteers in the community, fundraising and hosting the free Christmas Dinner in Vernonia at the Senior Center for eight years. Bill and Elaine were married for 62 years before her death in 2011. After Elaine’s death, Bill relocated to The Elms Retirement Center in Forest Grove. Bill has two living three children, Valerie L Mack, Jerilyn A. Cropp and her hus- band Gene, both of Vernonia, and Wilfred James and his wife Diane of N. Las Vegas, Nevada; five grandchildren, Greg James and his wife Kacey, Sonya James, Marisa A Mack, Gina E Cropp, and Sasha E Mack; and three great-grandchildren, Brady and Skyler James, and Reverie E. Gonzales. Bill is survived by his two brothers, Don and Edwin; his three children; his five grandchildren; his three great- grandchildren; and his dog Snickers. The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to Lions Club International, the American Legion’s Poppy Program, or Meals on Wheels America in his memory. To sign the online guest book or to send a condo- lence to the family go to www. tualatinvalleyfa.com Tualatin Valley Fu- neral Alternatives is entrusted with the arrangements. Bridge Street Bits send a big THANK YOU to outgoing I HAD A WONDERFUL officer PAT RAY who faithfully held a TIME enjoying family very responsible position for many years as Treasurer. Also thank you and hot mineral springs, but I’m happy to outgoing Board Member CARL HOLSEY, past President and First Vice to be back safely after navigating President for many years. airports and cold, snowy Wyoming, and FINALLY to have the chance to THE BOARD WISHES TO EXTEND A say Happy New Year 2022 from all SAD FAREWELL upon their passing of us at the Vernonia Senior Center. and condolences to the families The Board would like to introduce of former Board member SYKES our three new Board members: MITCHELL, and BILL JAMES who was LORNA GOODMAN, BOB GREEN, and our Board President at our former RICK HOBART. This rounds out our ‘purple’ building next to the Mini Board quota. In addition, a BIG thank Mart. I have many fond memories you to the rest of the Board: JACK of working together with Bill during AGEE, DIANA JONES, JERRY KEENON, those years. KAREN MILLER, and our officers, THE SENIOR CENTER PUT OUT A President CHARLIE KIBBEN, First Vice TOTAL OF 500 meals in December President JACK LINDSLEY, Second 2021. WOW! We look forward to Vice President, NONI ANDERSON, serving some of you as we have Secretary SANDY WELCH, Treasurer opened our indoor dining on TOBIE FINZEL. All of us would like to By Karen Miller Wednesdays and Fridays, coming soon on Mondays as well. Keeping it safe! COVID rules are in place. Call our office between 10 am and 3 pm for questions and info on how to sign up for meals. If you are a member (dues $30 a couple and $20 single) you will receive our monthly newsletter keeping you abreast of all our latest news. JOIN TODAY with our other over 100 members and don’t miss a single issue! PHONE NUMBERS: Foot Care JOYCE JOSSI 503-753-7445 Senior Center Info Office Administrator ASHLEY 503-429- 3327, 10 am - 3 pm. Leave Message after hours. Thrift Store : 503-429-3912 WE LOOK FORWARD to renewing past friendships and making new ones in 2022! CATCH SENIOR NEWS AND THRIFT STORE NEWS on our social media Facebook pages, Bargains on Bridge Street and Vernonia Senior Center. Thank you to Vernonia’s Voice Publisher SCOTT LAIRD for allowing us this monthly news space for and about seniors in this publication for 2021. EXERCISE CLASSES now being offered at our building 10:30 to 11:30. Mondays and Wednesdays. $5 suggested donation per class. Men and women invited. Come join the fitness and fun. SENIOR SIGN OFF: Keeping your brain working is one of the top ten resolutions for Seniors. One way to do that is to watch this column for fun activities to come…… See ya’ around town... Bargains on Bridge Street • 939 Bridge Street • (503) 429-3912 Vernonia Senior Center • 547 Weed Avenue • (503) 429-3327 Church Directory Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Sunday Schedule: Sacrament Meeting: 10:00 am Sunday School & Primary: 11:20 am Relief Society, Priesthood and Young Women: 12:10 pm Roger Cook, Branch President 1350 E. Knott Street 503-429-7151 Grace Family Fellowship Sunday School: 9:00 am Worship Service: 10:30 am Thursday Prayer: 6:00 pm Greg “Mac” McCallum, Pastor 957 State Avenue 503-429-6790 Nehalem Valley Bible Church Sunday School: 9:45 am Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 am Sunday Evening Service 6:00 pm Tues. Ladies Bible Study: 9:30 am Wednesday Service: 7:00 pm Sat. Men’s Prayer Meeting: 6:30 am Mark Organ, Senior Pastor Gary Taylor, Associate Pastor 500 North Street 503-429-5378 St. Mary’s Catholic Church Sunday Mass: 12:00 pm Fr. Joshua Clifton, Administrator 960 Missouri Avenue https://www.facebook.com/ StMarysOfVernonia 503-429-8841 Vernonia Christian Church Worship Service in Youth & Family Center: 9:30 and 11:00 am www.Vernonia.Church Sam Hough, Pastor 410 North Street 503-429-6522 Vernonia Seventh-day Adventist Church Sabbath (Saturday) Services Sabbath School: 9:30 am Worship Service: 11:00 am Pastor Antonee Leo Aguilar Email: antonee.aguilar@oc.npuc.org https://VernoniaOR.AdventistChurch.org/ 1294 Nehalem Street 503-429-8301
