Oct. 18, 1920-Nov. 7, 2004

HERMISTON – Wilbur “Bill” McElroy, 84, a longtime Hermiston resident, died Monday, Nov. 8, 2004, at Columbia Cottage Care Home in Hermiston.

A graveside funeral service for Mr. McElroy will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Hermiston Cemetery.

He was born Oct. 18, 1920, at Walla Walla, to Ralph and Jessie Rand McElroy. He graduated from Pendleton High School in 1939 and after two years at Oregon State University in the ROTC program he joined the Army Air Corps. He served as a B-17 pilot in the 407th Bomb Squadron, 8th Air Force during World War II, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.

On Oct. 27, 1948, he married Gail Hopkins of Stanfield, at Walla Walla. They lived in Stanfield for 18 years before moving to Hermiston in 1966.

Mr. McElroy was a life member of the Elks Lodge and served as treasurer three times.

He worked at Umatilla Army Depot for 35 years. Most of that time as a budget/systems analyst, receiving numerous awards and citations for superior professional quality, efficiency and expertise in his field. Outside the office he was known for his sharp wit and clever and amusing retorts.

His hobbies included gardening, photography, hosting dinner parties (where he was usually the entertainment) and cooking. His specialties were outdoor cooked meals for family and friends. He loved to make his friends laugh by finding humor in everyday life, and by posing for goofy photos of which he had quite a portfolio.

His wife, Gail, died in 2000.

Survivors include sons, Grant McElroy of Albany, and Mark McElroy of Las Vegas; sister, Mary Ahrendt of Vancouver, Wash.; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Agape House Foundation, P.O. Box 1723, Hermiston, OR 97838.

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in charge of arrangements.