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110 East 12th Street
Vancouver, Washington
WILLIAM L. WASCHER
May 15, 1939 ~ January 1, 2017
Bill, Dad, Gumpy, a man known by many names, passed away on January 1, 2017. He was born in Portland, OR to Leonard F. and Virginia M. Wascher. He grew up in Gearhart, OR, graduating from Seaside High School in 1958.
Bill served his country honorably. His 23 years in the Army included two years in the National Guard and 21 years of Active Duty with two tours in Vietnam, overseas to Germany, (Gelnhausen & Stuttgart), and state-side he was stationed at Fort Polk, LA and Fort Ord, CA. It was in Gelnhausen that he met and married Evelyn O. Anders-Wascher and became a proud Father to four children. Bill retired from the Army in 1979 and moved his family to Vancouver, WA where he lived for 37 years, working at Fort Vancouver Plywood Mill and C-Tran until his retirement in 2005.
Bill enjoyed traveling and camping, especially when it involved riding his motorcycle! He was very passionate about helping Combat Veterans and belonged to an organization called C.V.I. (Combat Veterans International). He was actively involved at the Local and National levels. Some of the activities included escorting remains of Fallen Soldiers, riding in the Veterans Day parades, providing security for the traveling Vietnam Wall, and raising money to help support fellow Combat Veterans. He gave his heart and soul to this organization and enjoyed all the friends/Brothers he made along the way.
Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Evelyn; his children, Tom, Ginny, Tina and Leonard; five grandchildren, Daija and her husband Xavier Hinojosa, Kylie, Jacob, Johanna and Barry; great-grandchild, Adeley; daughter-in-law, Lupe Wascher; and sons-in-law, Robert Maloney and Robert Mauterstock.
Funeral service will be held on Jan. 20, 2017 in Vancouver, WA at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 11a.m. He will be laid to rest at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Please sign Bill's Guest Book at
www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bill brought his charm to the men and women of CVI. He was always caring about others. That's what I admired about Bill.
May the Family's hearts take in all the love, that people had for Bill.
Audrey Muller - Hopkins
January 28, 2017
Evie, Ginny, Tommy, Tina, Leonard, I have felt like part of the Wascher family ever since I helped stack wood back in 1989! I'm sending my condolences to all of you and I will miss Gumpy as well at the family dinners and especially his famous clam dip. I'm so happy that Kayla was able to know Gumpy and spend time with him since she never met either of her other Grandpas! We all cherish the time we spent with him and all of his stories. Sending our love! Sheryl, Paul and Kayla
January 18, 2017
Evelyn and family...I'm so very sorry for your loss.
I have a wonderful memory of meeting you, Evelyn and Gumpy when I attended the Nationals in Birch Bay with Vickie Holgate...Sgt Pepper was there, too. It was a beautiful evening just sitting around a camp fire enjoying everyone's company. It was a pleasure to meet you both.
May God bless each of you and may Gumpy rest in peace.
Debra Mondares
January 17, 2017
May God Bless you and give you Eternal Rest.Until we meet again
Sande and Kevin Godsil
January 16, 2017
Ginny and Evelyn, so sorry for your loss. We are in Yuma AZ,for the winter. We have wonderful memories of the motorcycle rides, You are in our prayers. God Bless all the family and we have another special angel looking down on us.
January 16, 2017
Sympathy to all the family, we are thinking of all of you. So sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man!
Russ & Penny Monett
January 14, 2017
Dear Wascher family: Ginny and I graduated from high school together. We also attended Clark College together. I enjoyed visiting your home and being treated to wonderful dinners. I am very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing Bill is in great company!
Dayve Taylor
January 13, 2017
A man of passion and true professionalism. It was an honor to know him.
Richard Yeates
January 13, 2017
Ginny,Sending healing prayers to you and your family. So sorry for your loss.
Kathy Driver
January 12, 2017
In this very difficult time I feel very close with my heart to all of you. My sincere condolenses.Anna Vihlen
January 11, 2017
Ginny my condolences to you and yours for the death of your Father William. You'll be in our prayers and thoughts. The good news is that you will see him again and be united forever. Much love Laura Hossler and Family.
Laura Hossler
January 11, 2017
Rest in peace brother. Your mission is complete. Thank God For CVI!
Patrick "Saint" Smith
January 11, 2017
So sorry for the loss of uncle Bull. He is in my thoughts often and will continue to be in my prayers as the family lays him to rest. God Bless
Angela Smith
January 11, 2017
I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Wascher. I got to know him during my family's time in Stuttgart, Germany, at Robinson Barracks in 1974-1977. I have been friends with his son, Tommy, since that time we spent in Germany. Mr. Wascher was always nice to me and I even got to visit him and his family in Vancouver on a couple vacations there while I lived in Texas. He will be sorely missed. My prayers are with his family in their time of need.
Gary Chandler
January 10, 2017
Dad I am grateful for all the times we had together in Salmon, when you and Mom came to visit. We will keep you alive in our hearts, til we meet again. May you Rest In Peace. I love you . Love Tina
Tina Mauterstock
January 10, 2017
I had a nice visit with him at the party,I know he will be misses!
Sue Ulbrich
January 10, 2017
Love this guy! As kids, Bill taught me how to dive. And he did the most brave, dangerous work in Vietnam, leading a unit on multiple "Search and Destroy" missions. He didn't talk about it much. Heroes never do.
Cousin Pete Wascher
January 10, 2017
May he Rest In Peace. He will be missed by all.
Art &Joyce Little
January 9, 2017
May he Rest In Peace.
Art &Joyce Little
January 9, 2017
Thoughts and prayers and much love during this difficult time. I don't have the words to express my sorrow. Bill (Gumpy) you will always be loved and missed.
Debbie Alexander
Debbie Alexander
January 9, 2017
Even though only briefly we met, the charm, loving wonderful man shown obviously. His memory will be forever in the hearts of his loved ones. May God bless all. Loretta and JC Rye
Loretta Rye
January 9, 2017
May you believe that you will meet again. God bless the entire Wascher family during this difficult time. Hap and Raylene Lomonaco
January 9, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Frank & Annette Bunce
January 8, 2017
God will meet you as a brother in arms. You have put others before your life and comfort . May your family be forever comforted in the love of those you have touched in your life. You are my Brother.
Kevin "Grizz" James
January 8, 2017
Our memories keep you close at heart. Rest in peace Uncle Bill
Kim Zenor
January 8, 2017
Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all of the Wascher family, and especially to our friend Tina, at this difficult time. Marion and Jim Strong
Marion Nicoll
January 8, 2017
Dad I pray that you rest in peace and one day we will all be reunited as a family with God. I love you.
Ginny Maloney
January 8, 2017
How does a person put in words the emotion that is felt right now? I hurt for the Wascher family, the friends that knew and loved Bill, For myself that was a long time friend that he made feel like family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers and forever in my heart. i am and always will be eternally gratefull for all you did for a very small boy and his mom. Love and Hugs to all of the Wascher Family from the Gillams.
January 5, 2017
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