Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Donalyn “Don” Dean Billson left this life at 10:27 p.m. on April 14, 2014, driving his John Deere tractor to his pasture in Heaven. He was born on Sept. 5, 1935, in Marmarth, N.D., to Thelma Herstein and Oliver Billson. He was raised in New England, N.D., until the age of 16 when his family moved from North Dakota to The Dalles, Ore.
Don was 18 when he met the love of his life, Shirley Patten, and together they would have celebrated 59 years of marriage on April 30 this year. He worked 49 years in the aluminum industry in The Dalles.
In 1970 he moved his family to the acreage of his dreams in Hood River where he was most happy farming, gardening, woodworking, camping and celebrating life with his wife and four daughters.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, and special companion Boots; devoted daughters and spouses Dawnallyn Lynch, Terri and Rick Martz, Nancy and Pepe Quintanilla and Sherri and Terry Kennedy; grandchildren Morgan Lynch, McKenzie Lynch and her fiancé Jason Holliday, David Martz and his wife, Sharie, Julie Martz and her fiancé Aubrey Davis, Mychal Quintanilla and his wife, Andrea, Jordan Quintanilla, Jacob Quintanilla, Matthew Neal and his wife, Lissette, Fitz Kennedy, Savanna Stein and her husband, Myke, and Jenna Kennedy; and great-grandchildren Monte Stein, Makayla Martz and Emilyn Martz, due to arrive June 2014.
He was also loved and will be greatly missed by two sisters, numerous nieces, nephews and family friends who considered him a father/grandfather and role model.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister and an infant daughter.
Contributions may be made to West Side Fire Department or the cancer charity of choice sent in care of Anderson’s Tribute Center.
A Celebration of Don’s life is planned for 5 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Anderson’s Tribute Center. Chaplain Mark Thomas and Celebrant Bob Huskey will lead Don’s service.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; 541-386-1000. Please visit andersonstributecenter.com to leave a note of condolence for family.
To plant a tree in memory of Donalyn Billson as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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