William Francis Plantz

April 8, 1922 - February 20, 2012

William Francis Plantz April 8, 1922 ~ February 20, 2012 William (Willie) Plantz of Sherwood, a master woodworker and consummate volunteer, died peacefully from complications of pneumonia on February 20, 2012 at the age of 89. The son of Marvin Fields and LaVerne Deuchar Plantz, Willie was born in Portland Oregon April 8, 1922, attended school in Portland and enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942. During WWII he was stationed in England and served as a radio operator on a B-17 bomber flying dozens of European missions, including the Battle of Normandy. Most of his working career was spent in retail auto parts. Willie always wanted to complete his high school education and returned to Portland State earning his GED in his mid-50’s. Willie had two children by his first marriage to Margaret Durate. His second marriage to Doris Barksdale flourished for almost 44 years. Willie was a long time member of the Sherwood Community Friends Church, the Sherwood Senior Center, and the local Lions Club. He put in countless hours of service with each organization as well as Meals on Wheels. He was acknowledged as Sherwood’s Volunteer of the Year in 2007 and had the dining room at the Sherwood Senior Center named in his honor. Willie loved working in his wood shop where he built hundreds of projects including furniture, kitchen cabinets, toys, a dulcimer, canoe, roll top desk and grandfather clock. He also enjoyed fishing, clocks and coffee. He is survived by his wife Doris, daughter Sue Anderson of California, son William D. Plantz of Sherwood, step-daughter Sandi Noel of Salem, and 9 grandchildren. His step-son, John Barksdale preceded him. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, February 25, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in Sherwood Community Friends Church, Sherwood. Viewing and Visitiation will be Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Attrell's Sherwood Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marjorie Stewart Senior Center or Sherwood Community Friends Church c/o Attrell’s Sherwood Funeral Chapel, 16195 S.W. First Street, Sherwood, Oregon 97140.