William H. McPherson

William H. McPherson, 74, of Portland, Oregon, went to be with the Lord August 17th, 2020. He was born July 11, 1946 to W. Howard and Ernestine McPherson, the first of 4 boys. William attended Benson Technical High School and went on to Oregon Technical Institute, where he graduated with an Associate of Science in Machine Processing. He went on to Portland State University, earning degrees in Business Management and International Business. William was working toward a Master’s degree at George Fox College. He was married to Marta Roberts and had two children, Bryan and Jennifer.

William’s early work was as a teacher and missionary in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Later, he taught in the Alaskan village of Kake. Eventually William returned to Portland and started his own business as a weatherization contractor until he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

In his early life, William was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, in which he earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He also participated in Junior Achievement as well as volunteering to help his community by cleaning up after the Columbus Day storm and planting trees in the Tillamook burn. William was always an active member of each church he attended, often serving as an elder or deacon. He also became heavily involved in both local and national MS Societies helping to raise funds to find a cure.

William had a passion for antique and classic cars. He often spoke fondly of his Pontiac Tempest and later his 1965 Ford Mustang. He was often tinkering with one car or another, mainly with the baby blue Pinto station wagon that was the family’s mode of transportation and company car. William also enjoyed travelling and would recall the thrill of seeing new things. When he could no longer travel, the memories of past trips would make him smile.

William is survived by his children Bryan and Jennifer, his grandchildren Amanda and Rowan, and his brothers Bruce, Brian, and Rodney, as well several nieces and nephews.

William will be remembered in a private ceremony and his remains will be interred at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Scott Boulevard.