William Earl McDaniel

Bill was born December 3, 1924 in Baker City, OR to Oscar and Lois McDaniel. The McDaniel family later moved to Ontario where they farmed and Bill attended Ontario High School. Upon the start of the Second World War, Bill joined his father Oscar and worked in the Seattle shipyards. After graduation Bill joined the Navy and served until June 12, 1946. On June 5th, 1950, Bill graduated from Oregon State College School of Engineering and Industrial Arts with a degree in Civil Engineering. His career in heavy construction included involvement in the development of excavators, tunnel boring and pile driving machines that have become standard tools in the industry.

In 1964 Bill designed and had built what was the largest crane based excavator in the world for construction of the Blue River Dam in central Oregon. In 1971 he designed a Tunnel Boring Machine (now called TBM,s) and a segmental precast concrete machine for a section of the San Fernando Water Reclamation Project, which involved a total of 85 miles of pipeline, tunnels and canals. This machine and the precasting equipment he designed for it, evolved into equipment that are now used all over the world. In 1972, while working as general manager for Lockheed construction he successfully constructed the first pair of highway tunnels to be built in the state of Nevada.

William McDaniel was a loving example of his faith, generously giving of his time, advice, and was a mentor to many. His family cherishes the memories of his faithful love for all, his kind and gentle manner and his steadfast faith in Christ. He embraced the beauty and grace of the outdoors finding great joy in fly-fishing.

He is survived by his devoted wife Mary Jane McDaniel, his son Michael McDaniel, daughter-in-law Angella, granddaughters, Laura Burch and Tammy Tice, great grandchildren, Sheena Burch, Kayla Coons, Jocelynn & Crispin Flores, daughter, Rebecca Leavitt, son-in-law Robert Leavitt, granddaughter, Kasey Corbit, and her husband, Kevin Corbit, great grand son Ronan Corbit, grandson John Leavitt, and his sister, Ara McDaniel Roland.