William "Van" VanSlyke

William VanSlyke was born November 9, 1924 in Texarkana, Arkansas to Ray and Ollie VanSlyke. He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad, starting as a relief telegrapher and retiring as Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Association of American Railroads in Washington, D.C.

During his employment with the railroad he served in management positions in many cities in Oregon. He organized and served as Vice President of the Evergreen Freight Car Corporation in Eugene, Oregon during the 1960’s. He attended Portland State and the SP sent him to Lewis and Clark College.

As a Paratrooper in the United States Army, William was nicknamed “Van.” During World War II he was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and held prisoner. He then joined the Army Reserves in Roseburg, was deployed to Korea and accepted into Officer Candidate School.

In retirement Van served on the National Defense Executive Reserve Board and attended the National Defense University. Additionally, he was a lifetime Mason, member of Toastmasters, the Touchdown Club in Washington, D.C. and many more.

Van loved boating, and owned many boats. In Portland he built a 32-foot steel hull boat in his backyard. The planning commission was not amused but, with the support of all the neighbors, he was granted permission to leave it there until completion. When the launch day arrived, it was covered by the local T.V. and newspapers.

William passed away July 19, 2013 after living at Gresham Manor for three years. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm, Saturday, July 27, 2013 in Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will be in Lincoln Memorial Park. William is survived by his daughter, Linda Helmke (Steve) of Carmichael, California; son-in-law, John Bukoski (Jean) of Alexandria, Virginia; brother, Art VanSlyke of Roseburg, Oregon; sister-in-law, Margie VanSlyke of Vancouver, Washington; and granddaughters, Sara and Mary Bukoski of Alexandria, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva and his daughter, Sandra. William will be remembered as a natural leader and center of influence.