Feb. 27, 1941 – June 15, 2016
Willis “Willy” McBride, 75, of Sweet Home and longtime resident of Portland died on Wednesday June 15th.
He was born Feb. 27, 1941 in Lake Forest, Ill., the son of Willis M. and Dorothy Lola (Paulsen) McBride.
He grew up in Portland and graduated from Wilson High School.
He was very proud to have enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Mr. McBride later followed his passion for cars, becoming a salesman. Over the years he owned some of the most beautiful cars. As Mr. McBride got older, he worked at the Portland Auto actions.
In 2014, he came to live with his daughter in Sweet Home. He loved to watch and feed the deer that came on the property.
Mr. McBride loved the companionship of his two cats, Scuffers and Jazzers. They were definitely buddies. He had a love-hate relationship with Olivia on “Law and Order SVU,” and he always had a wonderful sense of humor.
He is survived by three children, Tamara McBride, Barbara Wright and Beverly McBride; siblings, Fran McDowell, Linda, Ron Dahl, Laura Garcia, Donny Wheatley and Robby McBride; friend and ex-wife, Maryann Purcell; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step mother, Betty McBride; one son, Michael McBride; and one grandson, Jeremiah (Bud) McBride.
No service is planned.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.