William Hurley Reilly

William H. Reilly died peacefully at his home in Portland, Oregon surrounded by his family on April 21, 2026. Bill built a beautiful life in Portland framed by his intellectual curiosity, joyful attitude, and devotion to his wife and family.

Bill, the third of four children, was born in San Francisco on January 15, 1932, to Anna (Heidi) and William Reilly, both Irish immigrants. His father was a doctor, and his mother was a nurse. He attended St. Monica Elementary School and St. Ignatius High School before earning a degree in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University. His father died when he was twelve years old and that encouraged him, at a young age, to figure out how to take care of the house, maintain the car, and fix what needed to be fixed, a trait he passed along to his children.

Bill met his wife, Rose Marie (Wolff) Reilly, on a blind date. The two fell in love and married in 1957 in Toronto, after Bill completed college and Rose Marie finished nursing school at the University of Toronto. The pair lived in Fort Lewis while Bill fulfilled his ROTC service.

The Reillys then moved to San Carlos, California where he went to work for Process Engineers in San Mateo. During this time, they welcomed their first three sons: Bill, Jim, and John. In 1961, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Bill began working for Ed Turner supplying water treatment equipment across the Pacific Northwest. In 1962, he purchased the company and transformed it into a thriving family business that became one of the leading suppliers of water treatment equipment in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Known for his business acumen and innovative approach to the industry, Bill earned admiration and respect from peers nationwide.

Bill was often sought out for business and market advice and served on the advisory boards of numerous companies in the water treatment industry. He also served on the Providence Hospital and CYO boards. He was a long time member of the Arlington Club, the Multnomah Athletic Club, and Waverley Country Club.

As an engineer, Bill was always curious about the world and how things worked, and he never stopped learning. He was a voracious reader and studied history, politics, physics, mechanics, theology, and more. Bill loved to try new technology and always stayed up to date with the latest developments.

Family was everything to Bill. He learned how to ski-on the mountain and in the water-alongside his children. He made sure the family all had ski passes at Mt. Bachelor and a family ski boat that he towed endlessly to lakes around the Northwest. Bill and Rose Marie loved traveling the world and creating lifelong memories with extended family at the family home in Sunriver and Waverley Country Club. He was more than generous with his time and advice, often guiding his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren through major life decisions. Bill, initially as a coach, and later as a stalwart fan with Rose Marie at his side, was present at countless baseball games, soccer tournaments, dance recitals, golf tournaments, and swim meets cheering on his children and grandchildren. When Rose Marie became ill at the end of her life, Bill cared for her with incredible patience and unconditional love.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife Rose Marie; his grandson Spencer Reilly; his parents; and his siblings Kay (Cleary), Ann (Duffy), and John. He is survived by eight children: Bill (Eileen) Reilly, Jim Reilly, John (Jenny) Reilly, Karen Marie Reilly, Mary Ann (Tom) Walker, Stephen Reilly, Michael (Kim) Reilly, Kathleen (Joe) Helmer; 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am at St. Thomas More Church (3525 SW Patton Road) on Monday, May 11, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in his name to the Parkinson's Research Fund at the OHSU Brain Institute. http://donate.ohsufoundation.org/william-reilly

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