William Luther Peyton

William “Willie” Peyton, 68, of Canby, Oregon died peacefully on September 17 after a short battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held at 11 am, Sunday October 9 at the VFW Post 3452 at 18820 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Tualatin. In honor of Willie’s independent spirit guests are asked to wear tie dye. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:30 am October 10 at Willamette National Cemetery at 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. in Portland.

Willie was born to Mayme and Bill Peyton in Seattle, Washington and moved to Portland at the age of four.

Willie was a strong-willed child who got into his share of mischief. He joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17. On May 9, 1968 he was grievously injured in the Vietnam War. He spent 13 months in the hospital recovering from his injuries, which included the loss of his left hand. Willie was awarded the Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice in Vietnam. He retired from the military in 1969.

He married Virginia Utterback in 1970 and had two daughters, Willow & Retha. After their divorce, he traveled extensively throughout North and South America. He later moved to Anchorage, Alaska and married Judy Kamstra around 1980. There, he worked for the BLM and as a dispatcher for the Fort Richardson Fire Department. He moved to the Seattle area around 1990. After his divorce in the mid 1990s he lived in Michoacan Mexico for a few years, finally settling in Canby, Oregon in 2000.

Willie loved Starbucks coffee, cheeseburgers and rock and roll music on quality stereo equipment. Although he was a self-proclaimed "hippie," he was very conservative and enjoyed staying informed of current events and discussing politics. He had a lifelong love of learning. He was fiercely loyal and protective of his family and friends.

Willie was preceded in death by his mother, Mayme Bell Peyton, father, William Peyton, and sister, Jan Peyton.

Willie is survived by his daughters, Willow (Carl Mujagic) Peyton of Anchorage, Alaska and Retha (Joey) Winger of Sitka, Alaska; grandchildren Cash and Elsie Mujagic of Anchorage and Alex and Allison Winger of Sitka; sisters Vicki (Michael) Avila of Bend, Susan (Michael) Swanson of Portland; brother Gerry Peyton of Portland; brother-in-law, Darell Martin of Oregon City; grandnieces Tara (Chris) Heard and Nicole Courser, of Beaverton as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and dear friends.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 am, Sunday October 9 at the VFW Post 3452 at 18820 SW Boones Ferry Rd, Tualatin. In honor of Willie’s independent spirit guests are asked to wear tie dye. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:30 am October 10 at Willamette National Cemetery at 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd. in Portland.