William “Bill” Fordyce Myers

William was born on Aug 21, 1934 to Carl R. Myers and Epha M. (Southward) Myers in Hermiston, Oregon  & passed away on Jan 16, 2022 at home, surrounded by his family on the homesteaded property where he grew up. On August 21, 1952 at the young age of 18 he married Sylvia S. Tramel (16). In August of this year they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.  They welcomed their first child Teresa in December of 1953 and their son Mitch in 1957.  He traveled Oregon and California extensively working on many jobs in the construction industry. He followed his employer moving about every 2 years & while in Los Angeles in 1967 he decided the family would return to Hermiston. Upon his return home in 1967 he worked for a short time with Ray Kalal Construction until his love for jeeps and cars led him to open his own repair shop on Diagonal Road. In 1972 a chance Jeep Club trip to Meacham, Oregon hunting for Christmas trees led him and his wife Sylvia to buy the Blue Mountain Lodge, which they ran successfully for 6 years.  He bought a tow truck and worked many long hours in the winter months pulling cars out of the snow banks. While there, his father Carl passed away in 1974 & he decided to return home to take care of his mother Epha. Upon returning from Meacham he started his own construction company with his son Mitch. He did many jobs in Umatilla County with his Caterpillar, dump truck, and water truck. Always thinking for a better way & during his years of owning and repairing his own equipment he, his wife, and son developed a product which is now manufactured on the family property, sold and distributed worldwide.

He was the sweetest & kindness man who knew no strangers. He would visit with anyone and make a new friend often dropping off little mementos whether it be a flower, leaf, pine cone or rock. In later years after retiring, he cherished his twice a day visits to town for coffee at the local restaurants to visit his buddies and waitresses who all loved him. He had 2 Harleys and rode until he was in his 80’s when failing health made it so he could no longer ride. He made many trips to Sturgis and loved the challenge of the ride more than the destination, only to turn right around and head home the next day. He was a patriot who loved his country and although unable to serve due to a heart murmur, he rode thousands of miles on his Harley as a member of the Patriot Guard escorting fallen soldiers to their home towns. He will be honored with a Patriot Guard service. He was a very proud 32nd Degree Master Mason and also a member of the Desert Shrine. He could be seen for many years at fund raisers, parades, football games and food drives always giving.

A master mechanic and innovator, he taught his love for cars and racing to his son Mitch. While competing as a family race team and crew member, they together won 2 National Sand Drag Championships. In 2004 at the highest level of motorsports they won the NHRA drag racing World Championship, also setting the World Record. He drove the transporter truck all over the US until winning the National Championship. They then retired from racing for many years. The racing bug started again in 2019 and even though he was unable to drive the transporter again, he was able to travel to a few races. He tried to figure out a way to go to the last race of the 2021 season but just wasn’t strong enough to make the trip. He was a wonderful husband, father, & grandfather.  He would always listen & be present to help with whatever life issues might need discussed. He will be missed by so many relatives and friends.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia, his daughter Teresa Clark & son-in-law Gary, his son Mitch Myers & daughter-in-law Tina. His many grandchildren Leigh Ann, Jaimi, Heather, William and Nicole. He has 6 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Epha Myers, Brother Carl “Dick” Myers, Sister Donna Jean Ragsdale. He was also preceded in death by many pioneer relatives whom settled the area in the 1800’s and early 1900’s. 

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 19, 2022 from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at the Maxwell Pavillion, 255 N 1st Place, Hermiston, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Patriot Guard or the Shiners Crippled Children's Hospital.    

Please share memories of Bill with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.