William "Bill" George Gerst

William "Bill" George Gerst, 80, formerly of La Grande, died Dec. 9 at Evelyn's Adult Foster Home after a long battle with Alzheimer's. A life celebration will begin at 2 p.m., Thursday at the Helvetia Community Church, 11295 N.W. Helvetia Road in Hillsboro. A reception at the church will follow. Private burial will be at Helvetia Community Church Cemetery with immediate family.

Duyck & VanDeHey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Guestbook and private condolences can be sent to www.dvfuneralhome.com

William was born April 15, 1929, the oldest of three sons of Arthur and Mildred Gerst in Pittsburg, Pa. In his younger years the family lived in Pennsylvania and Ohio and then moved to California. In 1947, Bill graduated from Fremont Union High School in the Cupertino/Sunnyvale area.

He attended San Jose State College and soon after joined the Air Force. He served four years during the Korean War from 1948 to 1952.

After the war, Bill joined his father and brothers in operating their family-owned spice business, Sausage Industries Suppliers Co. Bill was their salesman for 42 years from 1953 to 1995, servicing customers throughout the western United States.

In the 1960s, Bill moved from California to La Grande. He appreciated the outdoors and a much less populated area. He still worked for SISCO but also found time to enjoy his horses, motorcycling, hunting and backpacking up into the Wallowa Mountains.

Bill belonged to the

La Grande Mavericks Riding Club and owned a cutting horse. He spent many hours training and working with her.

He also was a member of the Union County Sheriff's Posse and annually rode in the La Grande rodeo.

In 1976, Bill moved to the Hillsboro area and finally settled in the Helvetia area where he operated a Christmas tree farm.

Bill loved airplanes and learned to fly at the Hillsboro airport. He earned his private pilot's license in 1977 and spent many hours flying his Cessna 170B. He often took his children and friends on flying excursions and attended the annual Hillsboro Air Show. In 1979,

Bill earned his real estate license, and he worked for Baldwin Properties specializing in acreage and farm sales.

Bill attended Helvetia Community Church where he especially enjoyed singing the old traditional hymns.

Survivors include his wife, Marian Mullerleile Gerst; brother, Robert Gerst; daughters, Rebecca Droke, Suzette Marshall and June Gerst; sons, William A. Gerst, Erik Gerst and Brian Gerst; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Arthur Gerst; son, Daniel Gerst; and brother, Jack Gerst.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Association and Helvetia Community Church.

.