William “Billy” Salisbury of Irrigon passed away in Portland on Jan. 15, 2026 at the age of 65.
He was born on April 19, 1960 in Yuba City, Calif. to William Jack and Patty Jo Tipton Salisbury.
Billy grew up and attended schools in the Marysville, Etna and Callahan, Calif. areas. He graduated from Etna High School in the class of 1979. He then attended the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Calif. for one year. He next attended Eastern Oregon University in La Grande for an additional year.
Billy moved to Irrigon in 1981 and took a job working for Desert Magic. In 1983 he began his career as a groundskeeper with the Morrow County School District. He worked at schools in Boardman and Irrigon until 1996. He then worked as a farm tech for Potlatch from 1996 until 2002. He then returned to the Morrow County School District, where he continued his work as a groundskeeper until health complications forced him to retire in 2014.
Billy enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoyed coaching youth basketball at the New Life Christian School and teaching his sons about mechanics.
Billy married Shelly Sandlin on May 9, 1983 in Irrigon.
He is survived by his wife, Shelly; sons, Jared Salisbury and Jesse (Jamie Walchli) Salisbury; granddaughters, Laynee Salisbury and Kobyn Salisbury and her mother, Kaitlyn Christman; brother, Steve Salisbury; sisters, Tina Marinoni and Tracy Tudor; his in-laws, Patricia and Larry Sandlin; sisters-in-law, Dawn (Jon) Coleman and Nikki (Kirk) Moser; brother-in-law, Cord (Melissa) Sandlin; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members and close friends.
Billy was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Pam and Krissy; his grandparents including his Granny Sally; several aunts and uncles; sister-in-law, Traci; special friend, Mark Whitbeck; and best pup, Sage (Hawkey).
A memorial service will be held at the Irrigon Community Baptist Church, 335 N.E. 10th St. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Burial will follow in the Desert Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Irrigon.
