William W Obley

William W Obley passed away following complications from heart surgery on May 4, 2024,
surrounded by love.

Bill was born June 26, 1944, in Junction City, KS to William M and Lois Nadine (Patterson) Obley. Being an Army family, Bill’s childhood was spent in many interesting and exciting places including California, Nebraska, Kansas, Germany, and Japan. It was when his father was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri that 16-year-old Bill walked in to the first day of Junior year English class, met Joan Bretzmann, and began a 40-year love story.

Bill graduated from Waynesville High School in 1962 and received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bill graduated from West Point on June 7, 1967, and married Joanie on June 8, 1967.

As an Airborne Ranger and Combat Engineer in Vietnam, Bill was awarded the Bronze Star for valor. Upon returning home he attended the University of Missouri, Rolla and earned his Master of Science in Construction Management. For the next 25+ years, Bill worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as both an Army officer and civilian employee. His work took the family from Oregon to Washington, Germany, and California while Bill managed parts of some of the Corps biggest projects. It was in 1976, when he began working on the second powerhouse at Bonneville Dam, that the family moved to Camas and really put down roots.

In addition to a busy work and family life, Bill was an Army reservist whose units were activated to serve in Panama and Bosnia. Towards the end of his reserve career, he enjoyed working in a Civil Affairs unit that allowed him to help people around the world in amazing places such as Tonga, Thailand, and The Seychelles by building schools, roads, and water treatment facilities. Bill retired from the reserves in 1998 as a colonel.

Bill was a lifelong sports fan who enjoyed both spectating and participating. He played multiple sports in high school and college. He refereed all levels of football from peewee to college for over 40 years and in 2013 he was inducted into the Evergreen Football Officials Association’s Hall of Fame. Around 1988, he started playing softball and found a love for the game that would endure for the rest of his life. For years he eagerly anticipated going to The Huntsman Senior Games in St George, Utah. He absolutely relished his time spent on the field with his teammates and friends.

When Joanie died in 2000, Bill retired and retreated. After a few years he found his spark again when he met Ann Schneider and began a new love story. They married on February 26, 2007 and enjoyed many adventures traveling through Europe, chasing the sun to the California desert or Hawaii, and spending time with family and friends.

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle who will be missed beyond measure.

Bill is survived by his wife, Ann Schneider. His children, Jennifer Lyster Rich, Jennifer (Richard) Arthur, Travis (Cori) Obley, and Susan (Brian) Naffin. Stepchildren, Jeff (Margo) Schneider and Kirsten (Matt) Schneider Cuneo. His grandchildren Jake (Emma) Rich, Matt (Christa) Rich, Hannah (Austin) Sanders, Will and Henry Arthur, Gavin and Landon
Obley, Cole, Jonah, and Emma Naffin, Emma and Olivia Schneider. Great-grandchildren Joanie Rich, Carson Rich, and Griffin Sanders. And his sister Nancy (Kent) Kilborn, nephew TJ (Cherie) Evans, and niece Katie (Calvin) Park.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Obley, and his parents, Bill and Nadine Obley.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 26, at 3:30 at the Tualatin Country Club, 9145 Tualatin Rd, Tualatin, OR. In lieu of flowers the family requests you consider a memorial donation to Wounded Warrior Project or Love Matters Most.