William Ray Marchek

William Ray (Bill) Marchek Oct. 29, 1938 - June 10, 2012 William Ray (Bill) Marchek, 73, passed away June 10, 2012, near his home in Harper, OR. Bill was born in Ontario, OR, on October 29, 1938, to Frank Paul and Beatrice Mae (Stagg) Marchek, and spent his entire life on the Harper ranch his parents purchased from Miller & Lux in 1927. Bill attended Harper School for 12 years, graduating as Salutatorian of his class of 3!! During his high school years, he was a talented basketball and baseball player, forming a lifelong friendship with his coach, Dean Nice. He attended BJC in Boise, Idaho, for a few months before deciding to return home to work the ranch he loved, for the rest of his life. In 1959, he fell in love with "the" girl from Nevada, and on May 29, 1960, he and the love of his life, Sandy Bouscal, began a wonderful marriage that would last 52 years. They were blessed with three great kids, Shelly, Brett, and Marni, who added joy to their lives, and a mighty handy crew to their ranch. Bill was a perfectionist in everything he did (a trait he passed on to his children); building corrals, tooling leather, and taking care of his land and livestock. He took great pride in his family and in the quality Quarter Horses, cattle, and crops of hay he raised. No one could make a better or prettier stack of loose hay than Bill and his dad. He served on the Vale District BLM advisory board for over 20 years, and as chairman of the Harper Southside District Improvement Co. In 1971, Bill & Sandy and Togo & Beverly Dice built a roping arena on the ranch, where they hosted jackpot team ropings for a number of years. Many new and lasting friendships were made during this time. Bill was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was also prone to "critique" the efforts of family and friends alike, be it biscuits, driving, roping or just about anything else. At one of their ropings, Cotton Becker remarked, "Around this place, you have to do your own bragging!" Bill was a great horseman, cowman, cowboy, and steward of the land. Some of his happiest memories and favorite activities included roping, rodeos, hunting (rifle & bow), fishing, sports, bull sales, brandings, and just visiting with friends and family. His presence will be missed by all who knew him. His word was his bond, and a truer friend could never be found. He epitomized the term " cowboy-up", battling back from a heart attack, broken pelvis, cancer, and numerous surgeries, to climb into the saddle again and do the work he loved. The pain he endured finally took its toll on his great big heart, and he was ready to join his loved ones that had gone ahead. Though our lives here will never be the same without him, we're comforted knowing he is roping with Billy Z., chasing the elusive mighty bull elk with his son-in-law, Bill, and riding the "Big Range" pain free, mounted on Chinkapin or Smokey, pushing God's Heavenly Herd (Beefmasters of course!), with his irreplaceable cowdogs and faithful companions, Jiggs & Badger, nipping at their heels. Vaya con Dios my darling. Bill is survived by his wife, Sandy, Harper, OR; daughters: Shelly Tensen, Ontario, OR and Marni Marchek, Boise, ID, son and daughter-in-law, Brett & Kerry Marchek, Harper, OR; his grandchildren: Kiana Marchek, Paiten & Katie Tensen, Audrey & Wyatt Marchek, and Aaron & Christie Tensen; brother-in-law, Tim Bouscal; nieces: Linda (Scott) Gettman, Sherry (Joel) Hellenkamp, Dana Dederick, Janelle (Curt) Roberts, Cindy (Jeff) Dreher, Mindy (Brian) Schimpf, and Shannon Kelly; nephews Todd Bouscal, Beau Bouscal, Jason Bouscal, and Aaron (Corrina) Bouscal; aunt, Ethel Marchek; uncle, Stan Simpson, and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank & Bea Marchek; sister, Joan Dederick; his in-laws Tex & Babe Bouscal; brothers-in-law Donald Dederick & Dee Bouscal; son-in-law, Bill Tensen. A gathering of family and friends to honor Bill's life will be held on Sunday, July 8, 2012, at 1:00 PM, MDT, in the Harper School Gymnasium, with a dinner following at the Harper Ladies Club Hall. Donations in Bill's memory may be made to Ranchers Feeding Kids, AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders, Mountain States Legal Foundation, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.