William Edward Plumb

William Edward Plumb passed away peacefully at his home, with his wife Prairie by his side, on Saturday, December 26, 2020, in Lakeview, Oregon. 

Bill was born August 31, 1940, in Omaha, Nebraska to William and Nadine Plumb.  This is the obituary that Bill wrote himself before his passing.

My brother and I were raised at Granddad’s brother, John’s house in Blair Nebraska.  Granddad paid his brother John and his wife to raise us.  At John’s passing, his wife requested Granddad come to take us to live with him.  I’d just started the 1st grade of school when Bill senior came to take us home with him.  I was reluctant to go. Even though our Aunt was abusive, however when he hauled out the biggest Babe Ruth candy bar, I lost my doubt of going with him.  Dad was working at that time in a little mill owned by Bob Adams Sr.  We lived in two small cabins and were quickly introduced to a sort of Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn lifestyle.  We went to school in Lakeview for the rest of that school year.  The mill burned down in July of 1947 and the mill was rebuilt in Paisley.  I then went to school for the rest of my schooling in Paisley and graduated in 1959. After graduating, I tried college but didn’t do well and returned to Paisley to work in the woods and then the mill.  Did most of the jobs from Handyman to Sawyer.

I was drafted into the US Army in 1964 and did my basic training at Fort Ord, California.  I did my Advanced training, in Army Medical School, at Fort Sam, Houston, Texas.  I then spent the next part of my service in Germany at a field hospital unit in Ludwigsburg.  The company was inactivated, and we transferred into an ambulance company in the 7th Army division.  I had an assignment to an outpatient clinic in Stuttgart, Germany.  I put in for a transfer into USFUE and spent the rest of my military career serving soldiers and (3000) dependents.  I obtained the rank of Buck Sargent, difficult to do in less than 2 years, but attribute it to the work ethic I learned at an early age.  I would have re-enlisted, but that would have meant serving a tour of duty in Vietnam, I decided very quickly to part ways with the Army.  After returning home I went to work for Weyerhaeuser for a short time until a position opened up at Adams Lumber Co.

I met Prairie Damuth Mills, going to work, we started our courtship on November 17, 1977, and we got engaged on New Years Eve 1978.  We married on June 9, 1979, and spent 42 wonderful years as soul mates.  Along with Prairie came her son Justin and daughter Rainee.  What special adults they became, and we are very proud of them.  Our son Noel who was raised by his mom is a very special part of our lives.  So many special memories.  I continued to work at the mill for several years until health reasons dictated a change of job environment.  At Dr. Bomengen’s suggestion!!

In 1985 Prairie had purchased Katies Sweet & Treats, there began the Happy Horse.  We expanded into a Deli and Antique shop.  We were blessed by the people of Lake County and beyond. It was definitely the most rewarding work I’d done, especially being able to work alongside Prairie.  I enjoyed watching and working with kids from birth to school years, college graduation, marriage, sometimes even returning back to Lakeview to marry, work, and start families.  We retired from the Happy Horse on January 1, 2014.  We sold it to a former employee, June Albertson.  While retired we spent our leisure time in the desert and in the mountains of Lake County. 

Bill is preceded by William (Bill) Plumb Sr. and brother Robert (Bob) Plumb. 

He is survived by, his wife Prairie; son Noel Plumb of Florida (from a previous marriage), Step-daughter Rainee Mills Perdue and husband Ryan of Fort Wayne Indiana; Step-son Justin and wife Samantha Mills of Lakeview, one grandson, Kaycee Jack Mills; Niece, Lisa Plumb and numerous cousins in Washington, California and elsewhere, many special customers and wonderful Happy Horse friends. 

At Bill's request, no service will be held.  Memorial contributions can be made in Bill’s memory to someone you love.  Doesn’t need to cost a cent.  Just a hug and say, “I love and appreciate you”.

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