William Harold Gannon

William H. Gannon was born on July 21, 1940 to William and Mildred Gannon in Bakersfield, California. He grew up in Arvin California and graduated from Arvin High School in 1959. He attended Bakersfield College before joining the Army in 1963. 1963 was a big year for Will. He was discharged from the military, was hired by PG&E where he attended Electrician Apprentice school and met and married Velma Mae Smith.

Velma was a widow and mother of four. Will inherited a ready-made family of three boys and one girl; Richard, Samuel, Edward, and Holly. They lived in Bakersfield and grew the family with two more children; Stacy and Shawn Gannon.

As the children grew and left home Will and Velma were able to travel. They went to Texas, Alaska, Europe, and many places in-between. As Will went up the ranks in PG&E they transferred to Santa Rosa, California to work in the NW Redwood division. In 2003 after 40 years of service in the same company, it was time to retire. They moved to Newberg, Oregon and began enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The two were involved in their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren's lives, both near and far. They enjoyed concerts at the Rose Garden in Portland, going to the senior center and walking their bulldog, Kady. The neighbors tell us of Will walking Kady while smoking his pipe, a sight everyone enjoyed.

Vel passed away in 2014. Will mourned her death and spoke of her tearfully. He stayed active by tinkering in the garage, staying connected to family and helping his neighbors. He traveled to Idaho to see siblings and made an annual trip to Bakersfield to visit daughter Holly and family.

Will is preceded in death by siblings; John Gannon, Alice Kuehlthau, Dodie Strecker, daughter; Stacy Gannon, son; Edward Smith and wife Velma. He is survived by his sons; Rick (Jana), Sam (Cindy), Shawn (Maggie), daughter; Holly (Greg), grandchildren; Casey, Jason, Amanda, Jessica, Amber, Christopher, Cory, Joshua, Cameron, Grace and Aiden and great-grandchildren; Tom, Natalie, Sarah, Sean, Kim , Ruth, Matthew and Everett.

Will supported many charities: Providence Foundation, Newberg Animal Shelter, Newberg FISH, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Salvation Army.

In lieu of flowers those who wish can donate to any of the above charities in his memory.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor rulers, nor angel, nor things, present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8: 38-39

Services will be Wednesday, March 11 at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 9:00 am in Newberg.