William H. "Bill" Randall, 85, of Toledo, Wash., passed away at Canterbury Gardens Sept. 5, 2017. He was born Oct. 1, 1931, in Sunnyside, Wash., to Fred J. and Ruth Green Randall.
After graduating from Prosser High School in 1949, Bill joined the United States Navy. Following his years in the Navy, he earned a degree in electrical engineering from Washington State University.
His first job after college was with General Dynamics in San Diego, where he worked on the Atlas Missile Project and was employed there for 12 years. Later, he worked for San Diego County as a contract inspector. Bill always wanted to come home to Washington, so in 1977, he found employment as an appraiser in the Cowlitz County assessors's office.
He and his wife purchased a tree farm in Toledo and raised registered Polled Herefords along with planting trees. For many years, he planted trees every year. He enjoyed attending farm forestry meetings, as he soon learned you do not just plant a native Douglas Fir tree and watch it grow. There was site preparation, beavers, bears, elk, deer, voles, frost heave, grass competition, droughts, pruning, thinning and some dead trees every year.
Bill married Donna Turner in Coronado, Calif., in 1960. She survives him at the family home. He is also survived by one brother, Dave (Gail) of Portland, Ore.; brother-in-law, Ben Turner of Toledo; sisters-in-law, Carol Randall, Elfriede Randall and Geraldine Turner; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Patricia and Lois Ann; brothers, Alfred and James; brothers-in-law, Ray Turner and Stan Hoopes; sisters-in-law, Betty Randall, Wanda Randall and Ann Turner.
The family would like to thank Canterbury Gardens for their excellent care and the Toledo Fire Department for their assistance.
A private family service has been held with internment at the Toledo Cemetery.
