June 8, 1934 – July 28, 2024 - William D. Wettstein was born in Oscura, New Mexico, the second of three children of William M. and M. Aileen (Moore) Wettstein. The family moved to Oregon in 1938, at first living in the Twilight/Canby area. By 1940 they had settled in Aurora where Bill attended The Aurora Grade School and would later be active on their reunion committee. He attended Canby High School for two years, then transferred to the newly-established North Marion High School and was a member of the second graduating class at the school in 1952. Immediately after high school Bill joined the US Navy and was stationed on Guam during the Korean War and later in San Diego. He served on the USS Mt. McKinley and the USS Romulus and received an honorable discharge in 1956.
Upon returning to Oregon, Bill served as an officer with the Oregon State Police for seven years, after which he became a commercial driver. He would continue as a driver for thirty-two years, employed by Carnation, Greyhound, and Dallas & Mavis Transportation. Bill was a proud member of the Teamsters Union and was an elected shop steward for 15 years.
Bill met his first wife, Diane Hillis, while stationed on Guam. They were married in Aurora in 1954 and had four children together. They lived in Salem, then moved to northern California. They would later divorce. He met his second wife, Lois Smith, in California and they had two children together, and later divorced. In 1999 Bill married Marlene (Driever) Martin whom he had known since they were classmates in kindergarten and Sunday school. They remained married until her death in 2022.
Bill was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Champoeg Cemetery Associates, past board member of the Aurora Colony Historical Society, and a living history interpreter at the Stauffer-Will Farm. Over many years living in Aurora he served on the City Council, was Police Commissioner, and was a member of the Aurora volunteer fire district.
For the past 25 years Bill cultivated vegetables and fruits in his garden on the Driever/Martin Farm, much of which he gave to local food banks, friends, family, and community.
In addition to French Prairie neighbors and friends, Bill leaves behind his children: David (Belinda) Wettstein, Margaret (William) Bond, Katheryn (Jeffrey Shankles) Wettstein, Gary Wettstein, Guy (Stephanie) Wettstein, Gus (Elisha) Wettstein, a step-daughter Tami (Marc) Berubi, ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Bill’s family would like to thank the staff at Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital, Marquis Wilsonville, and Brighton Hospice for their care and compassion in Bill’s final days.
A graveside service will be held on August 1, 2024, at 11:00 am at Aurora Community Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Bill’s name to Old Aurora Colony Museum/Stauffer-Will Farm https://www.auroracolony.org/donate, the Democratic National Committee, or a Democratic candidate of your choice.
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