William (Bill) Miles Stanley died January 23rd at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. He was 69. Bill loved Parkdale and resided there the majority of his adult life. He was born in Berkeley on November 3, 1947 to Ed and Grace Stanley. Bill grew up in Los Gatos, California. He graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1965 and was in the Navy during the Vietnam Conflict. His Navy duties included serving as a member of a UN Peacekeeping force. After completing his tour of duty, Bill attended Foothill College in Los Gatos and later graduated from OSU with a B.S. in horticulture. He was a proud Beaver.

Bill's first job out of college was as foreman for Mt. Adams Orchards in 1976. In 1979 he became the manager of the Middle Fork Irrigation District in the upper Hood River Valley, where he remained until 2002. In that role, he brought a number of agencies together to approve a hydro-electric project for the system. This installation continues to generate electricity and return value to district members.

Bill enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading, following his favorite sports teams (especially the Beavers), playing cards, and camping with family and friends. He relished rafting trips with his sons and international travel with his daughter, especially in Latin America and Asia. In later years he joined a bowling and golfing league in Hood River. He belonged to the Parkdale Lions Club and to the Elks in Hood River.

Bill Stanley was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Ed Stanley, and his sisters Martha Hassler and Carla Moser. He is survived by his children Chris, Laura, and Terry Stanley, his ex-wife Kathleen (Kitsy) Stanley, his son-in-law Umar Ndiwalana and his daughter-in-law Vanessa Stanley, his sisters, Janice Barnhart and Sara Stanley, as well as two grandsons, Jackson Stanley and Luca Ndiwalana. In recent days his grand-babies brought big smiles to his face.

The family is planning a burial for the spring, followed by a party in honor of Bill. Memorial donations can be made to the Parkdale Fire Department (P.O. Box 40, Parkdale, OR 97041), or the Wounded Warrior Project (http://support.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.