Willard Dale Detour

December 20, 1919 to August 6, 2012

~Friend, Father, Pilot~

Dale, 92, of Vancouver, WA, passed away on August 6, 2012. He was born December 20, 1919 at Guide Rock, Nebraska to Oliver and Jesse DeTour.

Dale's first love was flying. He owned a 1929 ASO WACO bi-plane, which he kept in pristine condition. Several years ago he won an award for rebuilding his plane. After he retired from Bonneville Power Administration in 1974, he took yearly trips in his WACO, keeping a journal of those many trips entitled, My Great WACO Ride Through Life. Even in his later years, he spent many hours at the hanger making sure his plane was in tip-top condition.

Besides time with his plane, Dale was involved with several service organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. Over the years he sponsored several children at the Shriners' Children's Hospital, providing resources for much needed medical help. He was also a Flying Nobel. He was an active member of the American Legion. He was also a member of the Antique Airplane Club based at Evergreen Airport in Vancouver. He served as head of each of those local organizations over the years. Dale was a fierce advocate for the Evergreen Airport. He was also a staunch Republican, serving many times as precinct committeeman. This year, at 92, he served as an alternate to the Clark County Republican Convention.

Dale is survived by his daughters, Linda Melcher and Patti Green; two step-sons, Larry and Ron Raley; his brother Jack DeTour; twenty-one grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wives Hope (1983) and Charlotte (2011).

A graveside memorial service will be held at Willamette National Cemetery on Monday, August 13, at 10:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be given in Dale’s name to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children or to East Vancouver Community Church.