William (Bill) Deschamps

William (Bill) Deschamps, 79, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 6th, 2012, at the Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, Washington, surrounded by loved ones, due to heart failure. William was born in Kimberley, B.C., Canada, on October 11, 1932, son of Charles and Isabelle Deschamps.

Bill served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, stationed for a time at the Boardman, Ore., Bombing Range, at which time he met his loving wife Aleen Browning in 1953 and married on July 3, 1954, in Coeur dAlene, Idaho. They recently celebrating 58 years of marriage.

Bill was a heavy equipment operator, and member of the Operating Engineers Union Local #701, since 1960 working on numerous highway and heavy construction projects around the Northwest, and was famed as a finish blade operator.

Bills hobbies included spending time at his Ocean Park, Wash., property, digging clams, and teaching others how to dig them.

He loved gardening, at his homes in Hermiston, Ore., and Ridgefield, Wash., as well as sports, history, and learning on his computer. He loved music, dancing, and spending time with family and friends. Bill was loved by all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Aleen of Ridgefield, Wash.; sons William Calen Deschamps (Susan) of Ridgefield, Wash., and Douglas Deschamps (Katrina) of La Center, Wash.; daughter Tonya Mertens of Woodland, Wash.; 9 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by two daughters, Cathy and Michele.

A celebration of life and military honors will be held on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Summit Grove Lodge, 30810 N.E. Timmen Road, Ridgefield, Washington 98642.

Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.