William Livingston

William "Bill" Livingston, age 74, of La Grande, died December 5, 2003 at a local care facility of cancer. A funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at the Island City Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dedication of the grave and interment will follow at the Island City Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels Chapel of the Valley.

Bill was born on June 28, 1929, the son of Leah and George Livingston, in La Grande, Oregon. He attended his first 3 years of schooling at Riveria School and then later at the Mt. Glen School and La Grande Junior High School. He graduated from La Grande High School with the class of 1948. He played varsity football all through high school. After graduating he logged in the redwoods of northern California for one year. He worked most of his life in the logging and sawmill industries until his retirement in 1991. He started at Boise Cascade Sawmill in La Grande pulling green chain and ran the stacker of green lumber there until he retired after 40 years.

Bill joined the 186th Oregon National Guard and was active for 13 years in the local unit. His first marriage was to Lois Guina. They had two daughters, Leah and Cheryl Livingston. He later married Elaine Whitley on October 29, 1965 in La Grande. Elaine had two sons, Lon and Ray Whitley.

Bill was a member of the La Grande Fourth Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he held different positions including, Counselor in the Ward Sunday School and later Counselor in the Stake Sunday School Presidency. He was also secretary of the Elders' Quorum and member of the High Priests.He enjoyed outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, motorcycle riding, camping and snowmobiling. He maintained a small herd of cows on his home place in Mt. Glenn until his retirement.

In addition to his wife, Elaine he is survived by his sister, Harriet Miller of Ardmore, Oklahoma; four children; five grandchildren; one great granddaughter and other relatives and friends. His parents and a sister, Dorothy Becker, preceded him in death.