Bill Durkheimer was not your average guy. Those he met remembered him. Bill was outgoing and had a good sense of humor, yet quite private. He valued being responsible, being cautious, doing quality work, and being on-time or even early. He would rather make the slow dime than the fast nickel. We all heard Bill say his favorite phrases: “Take two, they’re small,” when offering another helping. “Good thing it dropped on a piece of paper,” for his version of the 5-second-rule at home. When someone took his order and asked, “What do you want, Bill?” he’d reply, “A two week vacation!” We took in a stray kitten, and for 11 ½ years he would remind us that “She is only here on trial.” Bill was humble, generous, an encourager, and sensitive to those having a hard time in life. He gave many people the benefit of the doubt, and built their character by giving them a chance (a job) and bringing out the best in them. He always added a “Please” after calling a waitress to the kitchen to pick up an order. Being in the restaurant business himself, Bill loved to visit other restaurants, befriend the owners, “talk shop” and quietly analyze how things were managed. He could do a great job leading in many areas, but he also knew how to stay in the background. When he saw something amiss where it was not his responsibility, he would shake his head, close his lips, and quietly assert that it was “not his problem” to solve. Even though Bill grew up in a family with parents and just one brother, often he seemed to be surrounded with girls. He had two of his own, explaining that he and his wife had “ordered” two girls with long arms and legs that would grow up to be waitresses. He had many female employees over the years, and later married into a family with three more girls and a boy. Even recently, when living in CherryWood Village, he would try to keep track of the workers who helped him, and referred to them as “his girls.” His respectful and gentle attitude made him a good boss and dad. Bill was born in Portland, Oregon on December 6, 1929. His parents, Karlton Runyan Durkheimer and Irma Estelle Campbell Durkheimer lived in one house in Sellwood their whole married life. Typical of those growing up in the midst of the Depression, Bill learned thrift and hard work at a young age. With his dad and brother, he had a paper route starting at just 13 years old, driving the car himself in the pre-dawn hours. After graduating from Washington High School in 1947, Bill joined the Officer’s Candidate Program of the United States Marine Corp, training in Quantico, Virginia during summer breaks from college. He studied some at University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Portland State, where he eventually earned a degree in Business Administration. When finished with college, Bill married Faith Wild in 1952 and continued serving with the USMC where he had worked his way up to Captain, stationed in San Francisco, California. After that, he served in the Reserves. Bill opened three restaurants in California: a snack bar, a 19¢ burger place, and Klicks Drive-In. Daughters Tracy and Janet were born in California. In 1965 he moved his family back up to Portland where he and his brother opened up The Red Coach restaurant in downtown Portland. Eventually Bill opened his own restaurant, Mister D’s, where his dad was host and cashier, his mom supervised the dish crew, his daughters waited tables, and his step-children cooked and DJ’d the disco. The restaurant business was always a family affair. In 1978, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Shirlie Sprint Raynor, to whom he was married until her passing in 2014. Together they opened up The Saucy Chicken restaurant for a short while, then he owned and ran The Pickle Barrel Deli in Milwaukie. Bill and Shirlie took great delight in hosting family functions and get-togethers with friends in their home. During their retirement years, while researching genealogy, they enjoyed their many travels throughout the United States meeting extended family members. They also took 7 trips to Germany where they developed a deep friendship with Shirlie’s distant cousins. Bill and Shirlie moved into CherryWood Villiage in 2010. The family wants to give special appreciation to Cynthia and Tom Caulfield for the tender loving care they have given in coming alongside Bill and Shirlie for many years. Surviving Bill are his Daughters Tracy (John) Radcliffe of Columbus, Ohio and Janet (Lee) Tuneberg of Ashland, Oregon; Step-children: Cynthia (Tom) Caulfield of Vancouver, Washington; Brad (Jenny) Raynor of Everett, Washington; Ruth (Ali) Bei of Apopka, Florida; and Laura Denney of Portland, Oregon. Grandchildren: David (Kate) Radcliffe of Avon, Indiana; Ke’ene Raynor of Everett, Washington; Brandon (Samantha) Scheirman of Malibu, California; Sarah (Shay) Ellis of Beaverton, Oregon; Jason (Larisa) Radcliffe of Columbus, Ohio; Michelle Denney of Vancouver, Washington; Alex Raynor of Everett, Washington; Josie Norwood of Portland, Oregon; and Chris Raynor of Everett, Washington. Great-grandchildren: William and Ruby Radcliffe of Avon, Indiana; and Aurora Powers of Portland, Oregon. Also surviving is his brother Robert (Jeanne) Durkheimer of Milwaukie, Oregon. Please join us in a Memorial Service celebrating Bill’s life on Saturday, June 16 at 1pm in the Chapel of CherryWood Village, 1417 SE 107th Ave, Portland, OR 97216. (503) 408-0404. Private burial will follow at River View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care of the Northwest, 6130 NE 78th Court – Suite C10, Portland, OR 97218. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of William Durkheimer, please visit our Tribute Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Karlton Durkheimer 2018. River View Cemetery Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Portland, state: Oregon