William "Bill" Grant Myers

William (Billy or Bill) Grant Myers was born on September 16, 1933, in Enid, Oklahoma, to Clarence and Ethel Myers née Coleman. The oldest of two children, he and his younger ‘Sis’ Dolores Jean made for an energetic, fun-loving duo. In 1936, the Myers family moved from Oklahoma to Kelso and then 10 years later, to Packwood, WA. Bill’s father left his work on the Weyerhaeuser docks and began his call to ministry. The Assembly of God church was their first church as pastor and family. Rev. Myers built the parsonage beside the church where the family lived for six years.  When Bill's father took a new church in McKinleyville, CA, Bill stayed in Packwood with the Hanson family to finish high school. He loved sports, playing football, basketball, and baseball throughout high school. He was part of the 1952 Lewis County Star Offensive Team in football and the 1953 Lewis County All-Star Basketball team. After graduating from White Pass in 1953 he played basketball on a local town team.  Bill enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Hanford, WA.  He attended church in Richland, WA where he met Wanda Bailey for the first time. Through letters and a couple of dates, their interest grew, but it didn’t get serious until reconnecting a few years later. They discovered neither had married, so they began courting, leading to their engagement, then marriage, in 1961.  Bill and Wanda started their family in Packwood and were active in the community and the Assembly of God church. Bill worked at the Packwood Lumber mill for four years before moving to Richland, where he worked in construction and Wanda enjoyed being near her parents and sister’s family. After welcoming another child, they returned to Packwood, purchasing the pink brick house from the Hanson family, where Bill had lived before. In 1966 Bill took on the nickname ‘Paper Man’ with his delivery route for the Tacoma News Tribune while still working full-time at the lumber mill.  In the summer months he flexed his green thumb growing roses and dahlias, vegetable gardens, and trying new types of flowers every summer. He loved taking flower bouquets to local grocery stores, the post office, and the church. Bill enjoyed the spring baseball season, coaching and umpiring games on the school fields across the street from their home. Another child was born, completing their family, and in 1977 they moved to the countryside, allowing Bill to create a small farm complete with cows, chickens and even more dahlias for everyone to enjoy. Later, in 1994, Bill and Wanda moved to Onalaska, WA, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Family gatherings and keeping up with grandchildren’s sports schedules were high priority. Bill continued his love for gardening, and they became active in the Jackson Prairie Church. Bill retired from the paper route and took up delivering “Meals on Wheels” for the Chehalis Senior Center. He was known throughout his lifetime for his love for kids, fun teasing, practical jokes and laughter, which stayed with him until the end. December 2, 2025, comfortable at home, Bill slipped away to heaven. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Wanda, by only six weeks; his son Dale (in infancy); his sister Dolores Jean Maloney; and sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and William Galbreath. Surviving him are his children Annette (Mark) Erickson, Alan (Dana) Myers, Andra (Tom) Blair, along with 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  A Graveside Memorial will take place at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Evergreen Cemetery in Packwood, WA.   Meal to follow at the Packwood Senior Center, 12931 US Highway 12, Packwood, WA.

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