William "Bill" Earl Bush

Date of birth  - April 9, 1966

Date of death  - December 2, 2024

William Earl “Bill” Bush, 58, of Joseph, Oregon, died on December 2, 2024, in Athena, Oregon, from a sudden respiratory issue.

Bill was born on April 9, 1966, in Oregon City, Oregon, to Patricia Blaser Bush and Gary Bush. He graduated from Molalla High School, after spending a year as a Rotary Scholar in Celaya, Mexico and went on to earn a degree in International Studies from Lewis & Clark College in Portland and a Master’s in Teaching from Willamette University in Salem.

Bill met his wife, Melisa Thomas, while teaching English in Hamamatsu, Japan. They married on August 26, 1995, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and had one son, Gabriel Bush, 22, a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.

Bill devoted his life to education as a highly esteemed International Baccalaureate Social Studies and English teacher, living and working in Japan, Niger, Latvia, Zimbabwe, China, Brazil, Zambia, Ecuador and Oregon. He was well noted for developing a strong rapport with his students and they often sought out his advice and friendship long after graduation.

Bill and Melisa built community wherever they lived, hosting dinners, gatherings and many visitors in their homes. Adept in many languages, he enjoyed hiking, photography and traveling; journeying to more than 80 countries in his lifetime. With his family, he viewed Cotopaxi venting steam, Taj Mahal at dawn, elephant stampedes in Africa and so much more. His last trip was to Newport, Oregon because he had a sudden urge to see the waves. Many can attest that he also loved organizing a special trip itinerary for his family, friends and acquaintances with great care. He was in awe of world cultures and nature, especially in his beloved Oregon. He was also an excellent cook and a skilled baker, known for his special recipe cookies and bagels.

Though he traveled widely, he and his family returned to Joseph every summer for the past 19 years to enjoy viewing the mountains from their wide front porch, drinking the excellent coffee that only Bill could make, swimming in nearby Wallowa Lake, walking new trails and the favorites, patching up their old house and taking part in community events. Bill also took a break from teaching for two years and owned and operated the historic OK Theatre of Enterprise, Oregon from 2010-2012.

This quiet, true native Oregonian man of great ethics and intelligence leaves many forlorn with his passing.

Bill is survived by his wife, Melisa, and dear son, Gabriel, of Joseph, and two sisters, Wendy Bush and Tricia Deardorff, brother-in-law Kevin Deardorff, niece Avery Deardorff, and an aunt and uncle, Evie and Rick Kelly, aunt Irma Blaser and other family members of Molalla, and an aunt and uncle, Maryann and Don Blaser of Elephant Butte, NM.

Honorary Pallbearers are: the best man from his wedding, Ulises Jacal of Celaya, Mexico, family friend Jeff Fields of Enterprise, Oregon, colleague and fellow wine enthusiast Jeff Dibler of Bend, Oregon, colleague and travel mate Stan Krause of Victoria, Canada, colleague and fellow philosopher James Lerch of Quito, Ecuador, respected brother-in-law Jerry Thomas and well loved nephew Matthew Thomas both of Monett, Missouri.

A service will be held on Tuesday, December 10, at 1 p.m. at the Lostine Presbyterian Church, officiated by Reverend Dr. Steven Kliewer. The service will be livestreamed and recorded on the church’s Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eij2Xxypc/?mibextid=LQQJ4d.

The family will receive visitors at their home, 300 S. Lake St, Joseph, OR 97846 at 3:00pm following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Nature Conservancy in memory of Bill Bush to: nature.org/Oregon. If you wish to send a card to the family, please mail it to: PO Box 741, Joseph, OR 97846.