William Burghardt

William Sheldon Burghardt, 93, a former longtime resident of Grand View, died Jan. 9, 2015, in Gresham, Ore., after a long-term health decline.

He was born Sept. 7, 1921, to William G. and Inez Burghardt in Mora, Idaho. He spent most of his younger years growing up in rural Oregon. He came back to Idaho in his teen years and worked on his dad's ranch until he enlisted in the Army Jan. 5, 1943.

After basic training, he got his dream job realized when he began training as a pilot. He was assigned to the First Air Commando Group in 1944. He spent the war in India where he flew P-47s over Burma.

He got out of the service at the end of World War II but was later recalled during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1958.

He returned to Idaho and worked for his dad until 1966 when he moved to Oregon and opened a "Mom and Pop" corner grocery store in Beaverton. He and the city of Beaverton had a disagreement when he started raising calves in his backyard, so they sold the store and moved to Kinton on Tile Flat Road. They retired and moved to Newberg for a few years and then to Wilsonville and finally back to where he spent most of his youth in Gresham.

He met Ellen Guest in December 1943. They were married Feb. 4, 1944. Out of this union came four living children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister, two half brothers and his very dear friend, Delores Pohl.

He is survived by his children, Sheron Johnson, Bob (Julie) Burghardt, Mary Montgomery and Al Burghardt, his half-sister Willa Hipwell, and his half-brother, Frank Burghardt. He (aka "Pa") also leaves behind five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.

He was interred next to Ellen at the Damascus Pioneer Cemetery Jan. 15, 2015.

Condolences can be offered on line at the Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, Ore. The William Burghardt guest book will remain open until Feb. 12, 2016.