Salem - Bill ("Pete") was born August 25, 1923, in Springfield, Oregon. While growing up he lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas. He graduated from Springfield, Oregon High School. Bill served in the Army Air Corp during World War II and was stationed in India and Australia. He met Ethel Immroth while stationed at Dodge City Air Base where she worked in airplane maintenance. They were married September 12, 1944, in Cimarron, Kansas. The moved back to Oregon in 1946; they lived in Harrisburg and Albany and moved to Salem in 1970. In the 1960's Bill built the train for Curly's Dairy and a carousel-type bicycle ride for the blind school. He was also known for his comical caricatures. Bill worked as Chief Plant Engineer for the Salem Hospitals from 1969 to 1980. He worked in construction until his retirement in 1984. He was a 50 plus year member of Local 347/290 Plumbers and Steamfitters Union. He was an avid sports fan and active in The Springs retirement community. Bill was a member of the St. John's Lodge in Albany; Scottish Rite as a 33 degree Mason; a member of the Shriners Salem Patrol and Al Kader Temple where he served as a Divan member. He recently became a member of the Fruitland Community Church.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, in 1996. He is survived by his children, Greg Peters of Salem and Debbie Allen of Eugene, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Donations may be made to The Shriners Children's Hospital, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239.