William Orval Lewis, 87, of Sweet Home, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2025. He was born September 19, 1937, to Orval Moore and Mary S. (Edgley) Lewis in Shelton, Washington.

They moved to Sweet Home in 1944 where Bill and his younger brother, Jim grew up, their father was a log truck driver, and later owned and operated Santiam Supply in Sweet Home.

Bill was involved in sports in high school, becoming a 4-year letterman. Bill played football, basketball, baseball, and swim team. Bill graduated from Sweet Home High School in 1955.

Bill took voice lessons and was involved in music and singing his entire life. He sang solos at many cultural events and funerals. He attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. He served an LDS Mission in West Germany from 1959 to 1962 and loved singing in the German language. For years after, Bill enjoyed talking in German to any visiting Germans he met. He also earned a pilot’s license. He enjoyed taking family and friends up in his airplane.

After his mission, he enrolled in the University of Utah Law School where he graduated in 1965. While he was there, he met the love of his life, Anita Catherine Harrison. She was originally from Cardiff Wales but was working as a private nurse for the LDS President David O. McKay. They were married on August 6, 1965, in the Salt Lake Temple. Bill moved his beautiful bride to Oregon where they lived in Newport for a while, returning to Sweet Home where he opened a Law Practice in Sweet Home. In 1978, Bill was appointed as District Court Judge, so the family moved to Albany, and then later he was elected as Circuit Court Judge. After his retirement, they returned to Sweet Home and lived in his childhood home. He enjoyed many trips, especially to Cardiff Wales and England to visit Anita’s family and friends.

Bill was a man of faith and service, and he spent the majority of his adult life as a volunteer ecclesiastical leader. His care, attention, and wise counsel has blessed countless lives. Bill believed in the importance of family. He played a pivotal part in planning large family reunions that brought family together from all over every 2 years.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Lewis; children: David Lewis, Richard Lewis, his wife Heidi, Bronwyn Lewis; brother, Jim Lewis and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Mary Lewis, and a baby sister, Mary Melinda.

Viewings will be 4 – 7 pm Friday, January 17th, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel and 10 am Saturday, January 18th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweet Home. The funeral service will follow at 11 am. Burial will take place at 2 pm at Lewis Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Bill Lewis Funeral
Time: Jan 18, 2025 10:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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