William Curtis
Sept. 24, 1933 — Feb. 5, 2017
William “Bill” Curtis, 83, of Holley, died at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, from a massive hemorrhagic stroke.
He was born Sept. 24, 1933, in Bend to Clarence and Florence (Turner) Curtis. His youth was spent in Bend, Bandon and Coos Bay as his dad moved from employment at Brooks’ Scanlon Lumber to Bandon Lumber and finally to Coos Bay Lumber.
Mr. Curtis was a member of the Sea Scouts in Coos Bay for three years and graduated from Marshfield High School in 1951. He attended the University of Oregon for a couple of years after high school but decided to become a U.S. Marine and enlisted for three years. He then returned to University of Oregon, graduating with a degree in education.
Mr. Curtis could not decide what he wanted to do with his life so, after teaching and lumber scaling for a time in Coos Bay, he decided to join the Military Sealift Command. That began a 27-year career, working primarily in the Pacific Theater as an administrative officer, purser, chief yeoman and storekeeper.
He spent a year in Diego Garcia and on many ships such as the Navasoto, Misspillion and three missile trackers. Aboard MSC ships, which furnish fuels, stores, ammunition, and provisions to U.S. Navy ships, among other things, he visited parts of Japan, the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam and Australia.
He also saw much of the world during his travels.
Mr. Curtis never married, but did adopt three children from the Philippines: Richard, 46, of Manila, Charbonea “Silky,” 42, of Sweet Home; and Toto, who preceded him in death. He also fathered a daughter, Catherine, 43, of Springfield.
He often cautioned young men that they didn’t have to be married to have children.
Mr. Curtis touched many lives after he retired from MSC. He belonged to the Shriners, NAMI, Elks and Eagles. In his 20 years of retirement, he was passionate about politics, writing literally hundreds of letters to Linn and Lane county newspapers.
He always had several animals that he cherished. For years, he raised pheasants every spring for release when mature. He enjoyed hunting for deer and elk every year.
Mr. Curtis made many friends in the community with his quick wit and wisdom.
In addition to his children, he is survived by his sister, Carolyn Thomas of Albany; and two nephews, Harry Jr. and Warren Tracy Thomas of Coos Bay.