William A. VanLeer's Obituary
William A. VanLeer was born on September 24, 1929 in Aurora, Colorado to Royal & Opal Shaner VanLeer.
He died at his home in Scappoose on April 21, 2008 at the age of 78.
He finished school to the eighth grade in Aurora, Colorado and went on to work for the Dupont Company during WWII in Colorado. He worked road construction in Wyoming and then came to Longview, WA. in the 1950's, moving back to Cheyenne, Wyoming for a time until moving to Scappoose in 1962 where he made his home. He was a self-employed logger of VanLeer Logging Co.
He married Velma Rea Birchfield at their home in 1997.
His interests included: guns and hunting.
Survivors include: Wife: Velma VanLeer of Scappoose; Children: Dan VanLeer of Davis Junction, ILL.; Carl Drain of Portland; Mary Faulkner of Milwaukie, OR.; John Surdam of Twin Falls, ID.; Zeb Surdam of Killeen, TX. Tod Surdam of LaCenter, WA.; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.
Viewing & Visitation: 9-5 Monday; 4/28/08 at Columbia Funeral Home
Graveside service & interment: I.O.O.F. Cemetery-The Dalles, OR. on
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Shriner's Childrens Hospital.
on-line condolences may be made to the family at www.columbiafh.com
Columbia Funeral Home-Directors
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