Tews

William “Bill” Douglas Tews of Ione, Ore., died December 26, 2016, in Richland, Wash., at the age of 58.

He was the son of Paul and Rikka (Trangsrud) Tews of The Dalles, Ore. He attended Ione schools — kindergarten through high school — graduating in a class of nine.

Following high school he attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Ore., and Portland State University, and was employed in Libya with an agricultural assistance program. Bill graduated from Seattle University in 1988 with a degree in public policy. At that time he returned to the family farm near Ione to begin farming with his father.

In addition to being a caring and giving individual, Bill enjoyed restoring old cars and pickups, as well as literature, history and music. He created welded art pieces, wrote poetry and short stories, and had a lively sense of humor.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, an infant brother Gregory Tews, and an infant sister Jennifer Tews. He is survived by his parents, sister Natalie Tews of Seattle, Wash., sister Rondi Jeans (Mike) of Sherwood, Ore., and nieces Hannah, Maddie and Audrey Jeans of Sherwood, Ore.

Bill’s family invites the community to a Celebration of Life at the American Legion Hall in Ione on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. Private Inurnment will be held at a later date at Valby Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ione, Ore.

Contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the Ione Ambulance, Morrow County Health District, P.O. Box 9, Heppner, OR 97836, or to the charity of your choice.