Bill C. Searles Sr.

This information is posted here as a service to our community. The information was taken from public sources rather than from the family directly.

William C. Searles Sr., 79, of Union died March 17 at his home. Viewing will be from 9 a.m. to noon Monday at Loveland Funeral Chapel. A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Baker City. Vault interment will follow the services.

Mr. Searles was born Oct. 25, 1924, to Archie and Augusta Massengale Searles in Fort Collins, Colo. He attended school in La Grande and served in the Army during World War II, being discharged in 1945. He worked for the city of La Grande in public works and married Vernitta Harmon on April 8, 1952, in Pendleton.

The family lived in Baker City, where he worked for the City of Baker Public Works for about 10 years. He then owned and operated several businesses, including the Spudnut Doughnut Shop, Dad's Cafe and the Fix-it-Shop. He had a special talent in being able to fix almost anything. He was a skilled carpenter and enjoyed remodeling houses with the help of his wife and children.

In his early years he had been a musician and had his own band. He was offered the chance to play for Riley Shepard at the Grande Ole Opry, but turned it down to stay with his family. He was a member of AARP and the Baker City Elks. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing music.

Survivors include his wife of Union; children and their spouses, Janet and Lloyd Coffman, and Kenneth and Kristi Searles, all of McMinnville, Kathleen Searles-Brown and Charlie Brown of Seal Rock, Lorraine Andregg of Pendleton, Margie and Gary Rick of Baker City, and William Jr. and Dawn Searles of Union; his sisters, Fern Homan, Thelma Hull and Joan Petry, all of Baker City, Darlene Martin of Port Orchard, Wash., and an adopted sister, Ileen Holman of Beaverton; 15 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

An infant daughter, Gloria Jean, and two baby sisters all died earlier.