William “Bill” Sturgeon October 8, 1947 - June 26, 2022

William “Bill” Sturgeon was born October 8, 1947, to William and Ethel (Bazen) Sturgeon in Portland, Oregon.  He grew up in several Southeast Portland neighborhoods and loved sports even back then.  He played baseball and did very well.  After High School, he answered Uncle Sam’s call for soldiers, trained at Fort Rucker, Alabama and then he was off to Vietnam where he served as a door gunner and crew chief on a helicopter.

After his tour of duty, he returned to Oregon where he worked in the beverage business for Pepsi, Miller Brands, Maletis and Columbia Distributing.  After that he worked local freight for USF Reddaway, where he retired due to an injury.  He met and married his wife Maria (Crist) in 1983 and they made their home in Gresham ever since.  He loved baseball, fishing, golf and watching just about any sport on TV and lived a good life.  Bill and Maria loved entertaining friends and family on their lovely deck and meticulously manicured backyard.  Some of the happiest days of Bill’s life were when he was planning and booking their next cruise or trip to Maui.

He had several health issues: chronic kidney disease, diabetes and anemia which kept him pretty weak the last couple of years.  He finally succumbed to neuroendocrinal small cell carcinoma.  He is survived by his wife; Maria, sisters; Sandy (Al Rackley) Moreno, and Diane Sturgeon Engelstad, nephew; Jason Chandler and great nephew; Kaylan Chandler.

Please wear a Hawaiian shirt to the memorial service on Saturday, July 16 at 2:00p.m. at Gresham Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you might consider a donation to the Oregon Food Bank or any charity of your choice.