Tag Archive for: obituary

Bill McMillan

Celebration of life: Bill McMillan

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A celebration of the life of William (Bill) McMillan – a 30-year employee of SOU’s Facilities, Management and Planning Department – will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, in Area B at Emigrant Lake.

Bill, a highly-regarded custodian whose most recent areas of responsibility were in the Computer Services and Susanne Holmes buildings, died suddenly while on his way to work in the early morning hours of May 24. He was 69.

He worked in nearly every building on campus during his time at SOU and had a positive effect on numerous people over the years. His experience and can-do attitude earned him the respect of staff, faculty and students throughout the university. His co-workers describe him as dedicated and hard-working – and in fact, he also held jobs at Omar’s Restaurant and Martino’s in Ashland.

Bill was well-known throughout Ashland for his smile, joyful greetings and positive energy. He was passionate about old TV shows and classic rock music, and proud of his family.

He is survived by his long-time spouse, Judith McMillan; his four children, Dan McMillan, Angelina Tejada-Ingram, Jimmy McMillan and Charlie McMillan; and his four grandchildren, Gwenivere McMillan, Opal Tejada-Ingram, Ira Tejada-Ingram and Meredith McMillan.

Bill will be laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery in Ashland, across the street the home where he raised his family. He will be buried beside his brother, Glenn McMillan, who preceded him in death.

Those who wish to send flowers or a memorial gift to Bill’s family may do so through the Sympathy Store at Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.

SOU emeritus professor Joseph Smith passed away Jan. 5

Retired SOU business professor Joseph Smith passes away at age 98

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Emeritus professor Joseph Raymond Smith, who taught business at SOU for 26 years, passed away on Jan. 5 at age 98.

Smith joined the faculty in 1964 of what was then Southern Oregon College. He taught courses in accounting and taxation until his retirement as an emeritus professor in 1990.

Smith was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada in 1921, and graduated from high school in Salt Lake City, Utah before joining the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He graduated first in his class at the communication school and served as an electronics instructor, earning the rank of sergeant.

He volunteered for Mormon missionary work after the war in southern Brazil, then married his first wife, Alice Zemp, and earned his master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University. He and his growing family relocated to Hawaii, where he was one of the original faculty members at Brigham Young University-Hawaii in Laie, Oahu, chairing the Division of Business.

He was a driving force behind the creation and founding of the Polynesian Cultural Center while in Hawaii, and served as a bishop of the Laie ward.

Smith received his doctorate in business from Colorado State College and relocated his family to Ashland in 1964 to join the Southern Oregon College faculty. He married Carolina Maria Timor in 1982.

Smith engaged in various commercial enterprises – both brick-and-mortar and online – in addition to his teaching. His business pursuits ranged from carpentry and textiles to education and tax consulting – he earned the status of an IRS enrolled agent. He was an accomplished carpenter and took great pleasure in the activities of rural life.

Smith is survived by his spouse, Carolina Smith; his children Gordon (Linda) Smith, Kent Smith, Jorae (Mark) Scofield, Loretta Backstrom, Raymond (Georgina) Smith, Shari Griffin and Yazmine (Mike) Arringtion; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral and memorial services are being arranged by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home in Ashland. Visit the funeral home’s website for viewing, memorial service and burial information. Flowers and condolences can be delivered to Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home at 1811 Ashland Street, Ashland, Oregon 97520. Alternatively, memorial donations can be sent to the Dr. Joseph R. Smith Endowed Scholarship Fund at Brigham Young University-Hawaii.