Willard Ray Gabriel

Willard Ray Gabriel passed away May 28, 2019 at the age of 95. Willard (Bill) was born April 28, 1924 to Robert and Adella (Mortensen) Gabriel and grew up in Pleasant Valley, outside of Sweet Home.  He attended Beulah Land School, a one room school house in Pleasant Valley, before attending Sweet Home High School. While in high school he worked for the U.S. Forest Service maintaining wilderness trails such as the Pacific Crest and Skyline Trails. Bill Also worked as a fire watchman in Several lookouts in the North and South Santiam Canyons. At the age of 17, he joined the Marine Corps and served his country during World War II.  After the war, he returned home and worked in the timber industry primarily as a timber faller. In 1952, Bill married Hazel mason and together they raised four children. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, four siblings: Bob, Jerry, Keith, and Barbara, his eldest son Kim, and grandson Jeremy.  Survivors include sister Beverly Dull, daughters Lisa Elliott and Ginger Gabriel (Scott), son Bill Gabriel (linda), 7 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. A service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Gates Community Church of Christ, 40070 Gates School Road, Gates, OR 97346.