William Ericksen

William Leroy Ericksen, 79, of Zillah, died Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Memorial Hospital. Bill was born January 23, 1937 in Baker, Oregon, son of Einer William Ericksen & Ople May Walker. He graduated from Vancouver High School and attended Clark College and earned a degree in Range Management from Oregon State University. He began his career as a Range Conservationist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs working on the Yakima Reservation and several reservations in the Southwest, before returning to Toppenish in 1984. He was a long time volunteer at the Washington Agricultural Museum. He is survived by his wife of fifty years, Susan, and three children: daughters Kathleen (Jeff) Lobes of Mancelona, MI and Deborah Bader of Cairns, Australia, and son Todd (Stephanie) of Novato, CA, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Evelyn (Lynn) Hart of Bellevue, WA. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law Beverly & Frank Grossenbacher. Arrangements by Valley Hills Funeral Home. At Bill’s request there will be no formal services, but a small gathering will be held at the Ericksen residence on Wednesday, March 30th from 1 pm - 6 pm. Please call 865-3572 for information. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Ericksen, please visit our flower store.