William Blankenship, was born April 2, 1924 in Spencerville, Oklahoma to parents William Blankenship and Ida Belle Bicknell. Bill moved to Oregon at the age of 12. He attended school in Turner, Canby and Yamhill Carlton High School. Bill joined the US Air Force in May of 1942 and attended the Airplane Mechanic School. He served 3 1/2 years flying as aerial engineer over China, Burma, and India. Bill accumulated over 800 hours flying combat time.
Bill returned home to Yamhill, Oregon in 1945 where he met his wife Phyllis Burgett and was married April 28, 1946. Together they had 3 children; Sandra Howd of Kent Washington, Annette (Heber) Nelson of McMinnville, Don Blankenship (deceased) and 6 grandchildren.
Bill worked at a variety of jobs, Logger, Grocery Store Manager and Truck Driver. Bill loved to fish and went deep sea fishing as often as he could. He also loved wood working and gardening. His yard was often referred to as paradise due to the abundance of flowers.
Bill belonged to Knights of Pythias, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Elks.
Bill was most proud of his wife of 67 years, his children and grandchildren.
William Blankenship, was born April 2, 1924 in Spencerville, Oklahoma to parents William Blankenship and Ida Belle Bicknell. Bill moved to Oregon at the age of 12. He attended school in Turner, Canby and Yamhill Carlton High School. Bill joined the US Air Force in May of 1942 and attended the Airplane Mechanic School. He served 3 1/2 years flying as aerial engineer over China, Burma, and India. Bill accumulated over 800 hours flying combat time.
Bill returned home to Yamhill, Oregon in 1945 where he met his wife Phyllis Burgett and was married April 28, 1946. Together they had 3 children; Sandra Howd of Kent Washington, Annette (Heber) Nelson of McMinnville, Don Blankenship (deceased) and 6 grandchildren.
Bill worked at a variety of jobs, Logger, Grocery Store Manager and Truck Driver. Bill loved to fish and went deep sea fishing as often as he could. He also loved wood working and gardening. His yard was often referred to as paradise due to the abundance of flowers.
Bill belonged to Knights of Pythias, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Elks.
Bill was most proud of his wife of 67 years, his children and grandchildren.
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