William O. Peterson

William O. Peterson was born November 20, 1921, in Pendleton, OR, and he died December 4, 2010, at Central Washington Hospital, in Wenatchee, WA. He was raised on a farm near the Umatilla River in Pendleton, OR. He graduated from Adams High School and attended four years at Eastern Oregon College, LaGrande. He married Joyce E. Livermore on January 3, 1945. Bill was in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. During World War II, with the 8th Air Force in England, he flew 30 missions over Germany as a B-24 pilot. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medals. He retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel. After the War, he returned to Pendleton and became the Service Manager for Pendleton Grain Growers, supervising mechanics and other service personnel for the company. He retired after 30 years with PGG. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and spent many great times with his son and daughter and many friends in the Blue Mountains. He especially enjoyed his time at deer camp with his great friends. He moved from Pendleton to Wenatchee, WA in November 2007, to a retirement apartment at Colonial Vista. In April 2010, he moved to assisted living, due to dementia and physical limitations. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce Peterson; mother and father, Charles and Mary Peterson; sister, Reba Jambura; and sister, Delpha Rosenberg. He is survived by his sister, Norma Simpson; his children, Gary Peterson (and Gaby) of Anchorage, AK and Julie Peterson-Bayless Brunner (and Steve) of Wenatchee; grandsons, Gary "Thomas" Peterson Jr. of Anchorage, AK, Andrew Peterson of Charlotte, NC, James Brunner of Seattle, Spencer Allen of Anchorage, AK and Kevin Allen of Anchorage, AK; granddaughters, Robin Floyd of Kirkland, Amy Newton of Greenville, NC, Kimberly Scully of Palmer, AK and Tristan Johnson of Anchorage, AK; 14 great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law and special friend, Denise Johnston of Hermiston, OR. Services will be held Saturday, December 11, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Pioneer Funeral Home in Pendleton, OR. Reception and Celebration of Life to follow at the Oxford Suites in Pendleton, OR. All friends and family are welcome. Contributions may be made, in Bill's honor, to the Pendleton Elks Foundation or Pendleton High School Athletics. Arrangements assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

William O. Peterson

November 20, 1921 - December 4, 2010