William “Bill” Myers passed away on Jan. 16, 2022 in his home in Hermiston at the age of 87, surrounded by his family on the homesteaded property where he grew up.
He was born on Aug. 21, 1934 in Hermiston to Carl R. Myers and Epha M. Southward Myers.
On Aug. 21, 1952, at the young age of 18, he married Sylvia S. Tramel (16). In August of this year they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. They welcomed their first child, Teresa in December 1953 and their son, Mitch in 1957. He traveled Oregon and California extensively, working on many jobs in the construction industry. He followed his employer, moving about every two years, and while in Los Angeles in 1967, he decided the family would return to Hermiston. Upon his return home in 1967, he worked for a short time with Ray Kalal Construction until his love for jeeps and cars led him to open his own repair shop on Diagonal Road.
In 1972, a chance jeep club trip to Meacham hunting for Christmas trees led him and his wife, Sylvia to buy the Blue Mountain Lodge, which they ran successfully for six years. He bought a tow truck and worked many long hours in the winter months pulling cars out of the snow banks. While he was there his father, Carl passed away in 1974, and he decided to return home to take care of his mother, Epha. Upon returning from Meacham, he started his own construction company with his son, Mitch. He did many jobs in Umatilla County with his Caterpillar, dump truck and water truck. Always thinking for a better way and during his years of owning and repairing his own equipment, he, his wife and son developed a product which is now manufactured on the family property, sold and distributed worldwide.
He was the sweetest and kindness man who knew no strangers. He would visit with anyone and make a new friend, often dropping off little mementos, whether it be a flower, leaf, pine cone or rock. In later years after retiring, he cherished his twice-a-day visits to town for coffee at the local restaurants to visit his buddies and waitresses who all loved him. He had two Harleys and rode until he was in his 80s, when failing health made it so he could no longer ride. He made many trips to Sturgis and loved the challenge of the ride more than the destination, only to turn right around and head home the next day. He was a patriot who loved his country and, although unable to serve due to a heart murmur, he rode thousands of miles on his Harley as a member of the Patriot Guard, escorting fallen soldiers to their home towns. He will be honored with a Patriot Guard service. He was a very proud 32nd-degree master mason and also a member of the Desert Shrine. He could be seen for many years at fundraisers, parades, football games and food drives, always giving.
A master mechanic and innovator, he taught his love for cars and racing to his son, Mitch. While competing as a family race team and crew member, they together won two national sand drag championships. In 2004, at the highest level of motorsports, they won the NHRA drag racing world championship, also setting the world record. He drove the transporter truck all over the U.S. until winning the national championship. They then retired from racing for many years. The racing bug started again in 2019, and even though he was unable to drive the transporter again, he was able to travel to a few races. He tried to figure out a way to go to the last race of the 2021 season but just wasn’t strong enough to make the trip.
He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He would always listen and be present to help with whatever life issues might need discussed. He will be missed by so many relatives and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia; his daughter, Teresa Clark and son-in-law Gary; his son, Mitch Myers and daughter-in-law Tina; his many grandchildren, Leigh Ann, Jaimi, Heather, William and Nicole; six great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Epha Myers; brother, Carl “Dick” Myers; sister, Donna Jean Ragsdale; and by many pioneer relatives who settled the area in the 1800s and early 1900s.
There will be a celebration of life later in the spring, to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Patriot Guard or the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.
Please share memories of Bill with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
