The Bickar Family lovingly remembers their husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, William “Bill” Bickar, who joined the Lord on February 19, 2023 with his family by his side.
Born June 28, 1929 in Chehalis to Andrew and Pauline (Lena) Bickar, Bill was one of eleven children. He and his family moved to Brooklyn in the 1930s where he attended North River School, leaving before graduation to join the Army and proudly serving during the Korean War. When Bill returned from serving he was ½ credit away from graduation and in partnership with the superintendent, was given the opportunity to graduate in 1950 with his high school sweetheart Mina Johnson by his side.
William and Mina were married on August 10, 1949 at the Hoquiam Baptist Church and went on to have three children, Denny, Cathy and Alan. During his time in the Army, Bill and Mina were stationed in California for a short period and then were transferred to Fort Lewis. When his service was done, they moved back to Brooklyn and bought Mina’s parents’ house where they raised their family.
Bill was an incredibly hard worker and proudly served as a timber faller for over 60 years, working for both himself and Weyerhaeuser. As a testament to his toughness and strength, he even survived during his career two trees falling directly on him! Retirement didn’t slow Bill down at all; after ending his career in the timber industry he went on to work with Jim Mason as a maintenance man for Jim’s various properties. He and Jim developed a very special friendship that became a brotherhood, even forming their own company “The Old Farts Logging Company.” Bill’s work ethic was second to none and made his family proud; he never missed a day of work until his stroke about seven years ago.
Everyone remembers Bill as a man with a heart as large and bright as his infectious smile, always willing to help anyone out and bring his sense of humor to every situation. He always had a great joke to tell. The stories of the impact he made on others are endless, like the time he took his tractor out during Christmas to passout candy canes to all the children in the neighborhood. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Bill was better for it.
Bill is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mina, of the family home, children Denny (Melanie) of Central Park and Alan of North River, grandchildren Brett Adams of Albany, Oregon, Jeremy Bickar of North River, Jen and Andy Bickar of Aberdeen, four great-grandchildren Bailey, Riley, Conner of Albany and Emery of Aberdeen, and brother Jimmy (Sandy) of Chehalis and sister Joy Digman of Olympia, along with his honorary brother Jim Mason Sr. of Montesano and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Cathy Adams who lived with them for several years and his brothers Herbert, Andy, Porky, Lewis, Bobby and Lawrence, along with sisters Virginia and Gloria.
Bill’s ninety-three years were filled with many great accomplishments and he is leaving behind a legacy that will live on in family and friends alike, a legacy that reflects a life full of laughter, love, hard work, strength and tenacity. May Bill’s humor and golden heart live on in those he left behind.
A celebration of life will take place Sunday, April 2, at 1 p.m. at the County Estates Clubhouse, 57 Clemons Road in Montesano. Memorials may be made to Grays Harbor Fire District 2 Association, 6317 Olympic Hwy. Aberdeen, WA. 98520
