About Bill

William (Bill) Mathis was born September 17,1924 in Eldorado, Kansas, and passed away February 15, 2015 in Portland, Oregon.

Bill grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl years, working alongside his two brothers in their father’s restaurant. Upon graduating from high school he promptly enlisted in the US Navy to serve in WWII.
After serving his country he returned to Oklahoma, graduating with a BFA from the University of Tulsa.
Following college, Bill took a trip to Portland, Oregon to visit his younger brother Harold (Jim) who had moved there after his own military service. The Pacific Northwest greatly appealed to Bill and he soon relocated to Portland, gaining employment with an advertising agency.
It was at The Anchorage restaurant in Sellwood neighborhood that Bill met the love of his life, Kathleen (Kathy), marrying on Valentine’s Day weekend in 1954.
During his employment for William Winter Advertising, and later Cole and Weber Ad Agency, Bill worked on a number of large accounts for Omark Industries (Oregon Saw Chain), Salishan Lodge, and Esco Industries, writing ads, technical manuals, and utilizing his graphic art skills.
In 1968, Bill and Kathy purchased a 65 acre farm in Yamhill County and moved there several years later after building a house they designed together. Bill adapted to farm life, learning to run a bulldozer, drive a tractor to plow fields, mow and bale hay in the summer. In addition to tending to the dairy cow and beekeeping, he helped his daughter mend the fences her horses damaged on a near daily basis.
They later moved to a home on 7 forested acres in Oregon City where Bill pursued many diverse hobbies such as refurbishing antique furniture, beer and wine making, woodworking, mushroom hunting at Mt Hood, to name a few. After retirement from advertising he became intrigued with collecting and learning how to repair antique clocks.
In 2003 Bill and Kathy moved to Carson City, Nevada, to be near their daughter, but following Kathy’s death in 2005 he soon returned to Portland, moving to the Milwaukie area.
There Bill enjoyed the companionship of many friends he made during the numerous classes he took at Milwaukie Senior center and also Eastside Athletic Club.
An avid reader of literature and a wordsmith, Bill wrote constantly, much to the delight of his friends and family. A lifelong music fan and lover of jazz in particular, Bill often joined his son Derrik and daughter-in-law Kristen, to attend jazz shows at Jimmy Mak’s, Portland Jazz Festival and Newport, OR Jazz Festival.
Bill’s zest for life and passion for learning was an inspiration to all who knew him. Both his son Derrik, a musician himself, and son-in-law Jeff developed a deep interest in jazz and blues because of Bill’s influence. Amy’s art skills were greatly encouraged by her dad, who gave her advice and help on many of her projects.
Bill is survived by son Derrik (Kristen) and daughter Amy (Jeff), granddaughter Elisabeth, sister- in-law Pat Mathis, many nieces and nephews.