William “Bill” Mancel Gourley, age 84, passed away Thursday at home with his family around him after a prolonged illness following a stroke in February 1997.

William, son of Robert Mancel and Eldwana Eileen (Gray), was born December 4, 1925 in Robertson, Wyoming, in the family homestead. He had two brothers, Robert Roy and Jack Elwin, and one sister, Maxine Valate (Gourley) Rice.

Bill’s family moved to Portland,Oregon when he was 11 years old. After his junior year in high school, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served during WWII in Germany and Austria.

He married Mary Jane Blain June 28, 1952 in Foster, Oregon. The couple were later sealed for time and eternity in the Portland Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Bill worked as a union construction millwright all over the Northwest for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Mary Jane, built their home in Foster in 1952 and have resided there ever since.

Bill enjoyed hunting and taking trips from as far away as Alaska and New Mexico. He enjoyed collecting guns and watching westerns.

He is survived by his wife, Jane, and their children, James Myron Gourley (Lisa Jean Easling) and Valerie Jane (Craig Phill Orrock); grandchildren, James Myron Jr., Kimberly Ann (Geoff Thoma), Cynthia Kathleen (Robert Webster), Laura Jean Christine Gourley, Christelle Rice, Jacquelyn Valerie (Brandon Welling), Christine Ellen Orrock, and Cody Craig Orrock; great grandchildren, Abigail Grace Thoma and Mahala Kathleen Webster; brother, Jack (Betty); sister, Maxine Rice; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert “Bob” Gourley; brother-in-law, Bill Rice; and life-long friends, G.T. Bray, John L. Gravesgaard, and Albert Taylor.

Viewing will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 21, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweet Home. Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Gilliland Cemetery.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling services.