Surnames: Dodson, White, O'Connor, Kruckenberg, Lupkes, Hibbitts William "Bill" Leon Dodson, 83, a resident of The Dalles, died at his home on Friday, May 23, 2003. He was born October 16, 1919, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the youngest of Seven children to William Lee and Nina Ray (White) Dodson. The family moved to California where he graduated from Glendale High School. He met and married Priscilla "Jo" Josephine O'Connor on June 21, 1940. On November 8, 1942, he joined the Navy, serving in the Marshall Islands on an air Rescue unit on a crash boat, the C21010. After the service, he returned to The Dalles where he and his partner Buck Benjamin owned and operated the Dodson Auto Body Shop and Kennelly Glass for Many years. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, Kiwanis and Wyam Kiwanis, Stein Collectors International, Northwest Polka Club and belonged to the Elks, Eagles, And Moose Lodges. He loved fishing, hunting, hiking, stein collecting, polka dancing and playing His tuba. At one time, he conducted the city band, was a member of Hungry Five Band and spent four years playing with the Wahtonka Band ending in 1990. This was one of the many joys of his youth. He played at the Salvation Army posts and in his early days of marriage, played at dances in the area. He thoroughly enjoyed life, his Boy Scout, Sea Scouts, and the people of The Dalles. In 1982, he was named Man of the Year of The Dalles. He is survived by his wife Priscilla, The Dalles; three children, William "Bill" Leslie Dodson, The Dalles; Nina Jo Kruckenberg and her husband Paul, Hood River, Raymond Lee Dodson and his wife Kyra Carroll, Eugene' and a close family friend, Norma Coiner, The Dalles; four grandchildren, Trudy Jayne Lupkes and her Husband Brian, Dufur (Oregon); William Lynn Dodson and his wife Melody, Bridgeport, Washington; Wendy Jo Hibbitts and her husband Gene, Ontario Oregon); Chet El Kruckenberg, Hood River, (Oregon; eight great-grandchildren; cousins Nieces and nephews. Viewing and visitation will be held at Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home on Thursday, June 5 from 2 to 7 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday. Private Family graveside and Navy services will follow at The Dalles Odd Fellow Cemetery With Reverend Todd Unger officiating. There will be a public gathering of all his friends and family at the Dodson Home, 1033 Irvine Street West, The Dalles, Oregon on June 21 and 22. Memorials may be made to a charity of choice. The Dalles Chronicle May 28, 2003. Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser Member of Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society c/o The Dalles/Wasco County Public Library 722 Court Street The Dalles, Oregon 97058 http://community.oregonlive.com/cc/genealogy Browse http://historysavers.com/orwasco/ recently updated information regarding Wasco County - Links are at the bottom of page http://searches.rootsweb.com/ "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson _________________________________________________________________ Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail