William S. Burghardt

William Sheldon Burghardt, 93, a former resident of Grand View, died, January 9, 2015 in Gresham, OR after a long term health decline. He was born Sept 7, 1921 to William G. and Inez Burghardt, in Mora, ID. He spent most of his younger years growing up in rural OR. He came back to ID in his teen years and stayed 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-47's over Burma. He got out of the Service at the end of WWll but was later recalled during the Korean Conflict. He was honorable discharged from the Air Force in 1958. He returned to Idaho and worked with his Dad on the ranch until 1968 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 back yard 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 his youth, Gresham. He met Ellen Guest in Dec 1943. They were married Feb 4 1944. Out of this union, came 4 living children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister and 2 half-brothers, and his very dear friend, Dolores Pohl. He is survived by his children, Sheron Johnson, Bob (Julie) Burghardt, Mary Montgomery, Al Burghardt, his half-sister, Willa Hipwell, and his half-brother, Frank Burghardt. He (aka "Pa") also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren as well as many Nieces and Nephews and many friends. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to the Grand View Legion, PO Box 64, Grand View, ID 83624, to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or to any of your favorite Veterans charities.