William Stoker

William (Bill) Stoker, 82, went to be with his Lord on Friday evening, surrounded by family. Bill was a beloved husband, father of 4, grandfather of 7, great-grandfather, brother to 5, uncle to numerous nieces and nephews as well as a great friend to many.

He was born in Artesia, California, to Sidney and Ida (Koopman) Stoker, the fourth of six children and the first to be born in the United States after the family relocated from Friesland, Netherlands.

Bill went to school and spent his childhood in Artesia, CA, relocating to Brawley, CA, shortly after marrying Shirley, his wife of 61 years. The oldest 3 children were born while Bill lived and farmed in Brawley. He farmed in the area for 9 years before the family moved to Amity, Oregon, where Bill continued in the family business he grew up in, by owning and operating a dairy farm for several years.

Bill and his family then spent a number of years in Aumsville, Oregon where he was a truck driver as well as a part time farmer, growing crops as well as having a variety of livestock on the family farm. His youngest daughter was born during this time.

Bill was able to continue his loved profession of dairying when the family moved to Cave Junction, Oregon.

Bill and family returned to Salem when he returned to truck driving, which continued until (and after) officially retiring, as he so enjoyed driving, meeting people and seeing friends while at the same time making new friends. He had kept in touch with friends from grade school.

He will be missed for his early Saturday morning phone calls and the absolute love he had for family, friends, and God.

He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Shirley-Deane Stoker, son David (Ann) Stoker, daughters Jeannie (Karl) Bergen, Linda (Kevin) Proett and Katie (Kevin) Thiel, grandchildren Jason Kistner, Stephanie Vertiz, Sidney (Stephanie) Stoker, Zach (Naomi) Proett, Will (Bridgette) Gortmaker, and Ashley Proett, and his 3 brothers George (Carmen), John (Tina) and Otto.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jake, sister Ida and granddaughter Joy.

A celebration of life honoring Bill Stoker will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Turner Christian Church, 7871 Marion Rd. SE, Turner, Oregon.

Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.