William "Bill" Korpela

He was born in Astoria, OR to Tynne and Ilmari Korpela. He lived there until college, as with most young boys in Astoria in the late 30's and 40's, he had a basketball in his hand. He grew into a superb athlete in Jr. & High School. In 1948 he was chosen for the Shriner's All State Team. He had to decline this honor as his dad insisted that he couldn't be gone the 2 weeks to practice, but to stay home and help him on the commercial fishing boat. As a young teen, Bill had his own fishing set, net, and license to fish in Young's Bay. He became self-sufficient at an early age, always earning his own way.

At the University of Oregon, he played Frosh basketball and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and ROTC.

After college, Bill enlisted in the US Army Infantry, serving at Ft. Benning, GA, Camp Rucker, AL, and in Korea. He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. Bill held many jobs including being a medical clinic manager in Coos Bay and Medford and an auditor for the State of Oregon Senior Services Division. He was a past president of Medford Lions Club and State Clinic Managers.

Bill was an avid sports fan. He especially supported the UO Ducks. He also coached church softball and basketball teams in Coos Bay.

Bill was a family man, delighting in his daughters whether camping, playing games, singing songs, teaching sports, or the use of tools. He was a good father. A bonus was two grandchildren. He enjoyed watching Rob play ball and doing romps on the beach with Amy. Those two were the joys of his life. Because of distance, he never got to enjoy his great-grandsons in person, but he loved them all.

For recreation, Bill enjoyed basketball, softball, and later golf. He was skilled in woodworking. Nothing made him happier than working at his workbench. He was especially pleased to be able to construct and create out of materials at hand, but he also enjoyed working with exotic woods. Family members have a collection of lamps, bowls, plates, and furniture that Bill made. He could fix almost everything. He will be so missed.

Family survivors: Wife of 59 years, Shirley; daughters, Linda Vessey (David) of Longwood, FL., Mary Aschenbrenner (David) of Milwaukie, OR.; grandchildren, Rob Vessey or Cleremont, FL., and Amy Aschenbrenner of Milwaukie, OR., great-grandsons, Ryder and Jaxson Vessey of Cleremont, FL., and brother, Keith Korpela of Croqham, NY.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bill's name to:

Legacy Hopewell House Hospice

6171 SW Capitol Hwy.

Portland, OR 97239