Charles "Bill" Davidson

CHARLES "BILL" DAVIDSON October 5, 1923 ~ August 7, 2013 Bill Davidson, formerly of Vancouver, WA, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Wed., Aug. 7th in Longview, WA. He was born and raised in Alvin, TX, the 2nd of 6 children of Ray and Gladys Davidson and graduated from Alvin High School Bill enlisted to serve in WWII. He was trained to be an aviator and eventually became a P-38 pilot. One of his training assignments took him to the Portland Air Base. After the untimely drowning death of a fellow pilot, all training pilots were required to wear life vests. The supply clerk that issued Bill his life vest would become his future wife. It was a true love at first sight meeting. Bill and Marie were engaged before Bill's deployment. His squadron was assigned to the war in Europe where he flew his P-38 in over 50 combat missions from the fall of 1944 until the end of the war in Europe (Germany) 1945. Bill was married to Marie Oliver on Dec. 8, 1945. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1950. The draw of the climate in the Northwest led Bill to take a job with Crown Zellerbach in Oregon City. Bill and Marie lived in Milwaukie, OR. He was transferred by Crown Zellerbach to the Camas Mill and they moved to Camas, WA in 1957, where they would raise their family. In 1973, Bill was promoted to the main office for Crown Zellerbach in San Francisco. They lived in Danville, CA until 1976. When the company opened an office in Vancouver, Bill and Marie jumped at the chance to move back to the Northwest where they settled in Vancouver. After retirement, Bill and Marie traveled the globe with many traveling partners, too numerous to name. Bill and Marie had many special friends and neighbors they loved spending time with. Bill volunteered for SHEBA in Vancouver for several years. After Marie passed in September of last year, Bill later moved to Longview, to be closer to his son's family. Bill is survived by his son, Jon (Julie), Castle Rock, WA; daughter, Betsy (Al), Paradise, CA; grandchildren, Carly, Darcy, Morgan, Shelby and Auburn; three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Margaret; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 66 years, Marie. Bill was the last surviving sibling of six children: sisters, Margaret, Betty June, Helen and brothers, R.E., and Joe, preceded him in passing. A private interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Remembrances would be appreciated to; Guide Dogs for the Blind, 32901 S.E. Kelso Rd., Boring, OR 97009-8901. - See more at: http://obits.columbian.com/obituaries/columbian/obituary.aspx?n=charles-davidson-bill&pid=166449012&fhid=5644#fbLoggedOut

Charles "Bill" Davidson

October 5, 1923 - August 7, 2013