William Charles Bill Hoskins

Published 12:55 am Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Nov. 28, 1924 – Oct. 8, 2014

William Charles Bill Hoskins, 89, of Bend, OR, passed over peacefully on October 8, 2014.

He was born in an upstairs bedroom of his grandmothers home in Niles, Ohio, on November 28, 1924. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to the San Francisco Bay area, settling at first in Pittsburg, CA. He graduated from Antioch (CA) High School in June 1942.

In July 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy and learned the skills of weather observer and forecaster, which he used all of his military life. While in the Navy, he served aboard the USS Independence, an aircraft carrier, and the USS Los Angeles, a heavy cruiser. He saw overseas duty in Bermuda and Cuba before his release from service in December 1945.

After his discharge, he managed a food market in Yuma, AZ, where he met his first wife. They married and moved to Sacramento, CA, where Bill got a job working for United Air Lines until June 1948. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served proudly until his retirement in July 1970, as chief warrant officer.

Bill moved to Bend in 1970, and filled his retirement years with the things he loved most: golfing, fishing, bird hunting and playing bridge. He found time to take classes at Central Oregon Community College, where in June 1972, he earned an associate of science degree. He was a longtime member of Bend Golf and Country Club, and most recently, Lost Tracks Golf Club.

Bill is survived by his two daughters, Lynn (Dave) Saturno of Fountain Hills, AZ, and Sandi (Dave) Wiele of Clifton, CO; and a step-daughter, Beverly (Bob) Roxby of Belfast, ME. He has three grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Helen E. (Billie) (Scott) Hoskins; his parents, Thomas E (Tom) Hoskins and Ida (Ossolo) Hoskins; his brother, Robert T. (Bob) Hoskins.

He will be miss by other family and friends as well as his special friend, Alice Saunders.

Cremated remains will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. The family will have a private gathering at a later date.

A special thank you to Visiting Angels and to Heart and Home Hospice and for all the living care and support they provided to Bill and his family.