Joan Bright

Joan Robinette Bright, a resident of Wilsonville, died on Friday, May 2, 2008, in Portland. She was 88 years of age.

Joan was born to Chester and Ann (Feeney) Smith on Jan. 6, 1920, in Malta, Mont. She graduated from Malta High School in 1938 and worked as a phone operator for a small independent phone company in Northern Montana.

Just prior to World War II, Joan moved west to Portland, where she worked at the Swan Island Shipyard as a telephone operator. Shortly after her relocation, Joan was married. The couple was later divorced and Joan moved to Newport to be near family.

She found work at the P.U.D. in Newport and was the secretary to the general manager. It was at this job that she became acquainted with William “Bill” Bright, a businessman who worked closely with Joan’s boss. The passing greetings shared in the office later blossomed into a courtship when both Bill and Joan were invited to a company party, and were the only single adults in attendance. The couple later moved to Portland, where they were joined as husband and wife in 1969.

Joan’s first concern was caring for her home and family. She enjoyed being a homemaker and ensuring the welfare of her family. Her second line of business was assisting Bill with the family business, Western Power Products Inc. They set up shop in Hood River, where they resided for 19 years, and Joan worked as a bookkeeper, a secretary and a partner.

Bill and Joan traveled the world introducing and selling their product. Joan loved it and had a social side to her that was contagious. Regardless of their destination, she would befriend the wives of well-known executives and businessmen, creating lasting relationships.

In 1987 Bill and Joan sold their business and retired. The returned to the Portland area in 1992 and spent their retired lives traveling and taking a total of 13 cruises to all different worldly locations.

Joan had many interests. She loved her family; she was an excellent cook and enjoyed sewing. She was a very intelligent individual, gracious, and had a witty sense of humor.

Joan is survived by her husband, Bill, of Wilsonville; son, Larry Sanguras, of Hood River; daughters Mary Olson, of Salem, and Betty Bright, of Minneapolis; along with eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, one brother and two sisters.

A funeral service was held May 13 in Portland. Interment was held at Lincoln Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made in memory of Joan to the American Heart Association, 1200 N.W. Naito Parkway, Ste. 220, Portland, OR 97209.

William Bothwell

William Avery Bothwell, “Bill,” passed away at his home with family by his side on May 21, 2008.

A service to celebrate his life is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Anderson’s Tribute Center. Graveside rites and military honors will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery.

William was born March 17, 1923, at Ponca City, Okla., to Harry Wallace and Jessie Perry (Cochran) Bothwell. He grew up in Ponca City and spent summers at the family’s homestead in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Bill was an outstanding high school football player and was awarded a full scholarship at Oklahoma State University (formally Okalahoma A&M) where he played varsity football until the fall of 1942.

In September 1942 Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country proudly in World War II. He served in the central Pacific and saw action at Tarawa, Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and returned to Oklahoma to continue his college education and to play football at Oklahoma State University.

On March 5, 1946, Bill married Dorothy Heinz, of The Dalles, Ore., and they had three children. They moved from Oklahoma to Colorado where Bill was employed by the Soil Conservation Service (United States Department of Agriculture). The family moved from Grand Junction, Colo., to Las Vegas, N.M., in 1962 and remained there until 1973 when Bill and Dorothy moved to Winnemucca, Nev. Bill retired in 1980 and they moved to Hood River, Ore.

Bill’s hobbies included woodworking, gardening, camping, fishing, and hunting. He was a member of the Odell Methodist Church and the Odell Lions Club.

Bill is survived and will be dearly missed by his special friend and companion, Wilma Plog, of Odell, Ore.; his children: son, Bill P. Bothwell, of Ft. Worth, Texas, and daughter, E. Ann Hills, and son-in-law, Mike, of Colstrip, Mont., and grandchildren Jeffery and Melissa Hills, of Hillsboro, Ore., and Douglas Hills, of Lubbock, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, James Michael, in 1978; and his wife, Dorothy, in 1997.

The family suggests that any memorials be made in Bill’s memory to Heart of Hospice of Hood River, Ore., and sent in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. Please visit www.andersonstributecenter.com to view and print the obituary and sign the guest book for family.