William Ashley
courtesy photo
William Ashley
PABLO — William Archie Ashley, age 79, passed away April 4, 2023, at St. Joseph Medical Center, with his sister June by his side.
Bill was born on July 29, 1943, to Archie and June (Roullier) Ashley. He was raised east of Pablo with his sister June and surrounded by a large extended family. Times were tough but they all stuck together, pitched in and made the best of things … the strong family bonds of that time are something to admire.
Bill and his sister would fish the creek all day to take their catch into town and sell it to the local barber to make a little extra money. Bill would also often speak of the old days with Uncle Aggie and Uncle Dave using horses to log or hunt with them. His love of the outdoors and the woods came from that time of his life.
Even from a very young age Bill was always a hardworking man. He did various jobs, some being Christmas tree cutting, getting wood, long haul trucking and working on the pipeline in Alaska. His true passion, though, was always logging.
In the early 90s, Bill Sr. and Bill Jr. joined together to form Ashley logging. Bill and Billy would work together for the next 27 years, until health problems forced Bill Sr. to retire. Being able to work with his son every day doing what they both loved brought both Bills more joy than can even be described.
Bill met Lois Doney in 1962. She had four children of her own that Bill would take under his wing and raise: Jerolyn, Dale, Rhonda and Barbara. In 1963, William Bryan Ashley was born and Deborah Ashley, who would pass at birth. In 1975, Bill and Lois took on one more child; they would go on to raise their granddaughter Codi.
William was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lois; sons, William Ashley and Dale Schiele; daughters, Deborah Ashley and Jerolyn Lafromboise; and nephew, Daniel Evjen.
Bill is survived by daughters, Barbara Hill (Dwayne) and Rhonda Hogan; grandchildren, Codi VanNess, Bryan Schiele (Sharilyn), Rhiannon Meyers, Angela Meyers, Brittany Flores (Jose), Iain Hogan, Sean Schaefer, Tiffany Ruiz (Sammy), Michelle Moody (Andrew), and Heather Hill; daughter-in-law, Pam Schiele and son-in-law, Jeff Lafromboise; nine great-grandchildren; special “grandson” Rodrick VanNess; sister, June Skaggs; and nephew, Richard Evjen.
Services have been held.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
