Obituary for Paul Lee McWilliams
Paul Lee McWilliams of Dallas, Oregon passed away peacefully at the Salem Health Hospital in Salem, oregon after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 86 years old.
After Paul served in the Army, he worked as a handyman in Oregon. He met the love of his life, Ginger Rickard, when he went to give an estimate on projects around her home. They've been together since 1994.
Together they had many adventures, some of which included trips to Thailand, Central America, and Mexico. They had many more trips around the US visiting Paul's children and grandchildren, as well as Ginger's. During their time together they became avid hikers and campers and also enjoyed kayaking and canoeing.
Paul was very involved with his community, as he was a regular volunteer with habitat for Humanity, and later, Meals on Wheels. Hed was always taking the time to talk with the folks on his route when he delivered the meals, laughing and joking and making them feel loved. Paul's second love was gardening. Everywhere he lived, the first thing to go up was a greenhouse, followed by a garden, followed by a bountiful harvest, which he generously shared with neighbors and friends. He definitely had a knack for growing things, not only plants, but relationships as well.
Paul was best known for his quick wit, playful pranks, his strong work ethic, and boundless energy. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Wilson McWilliams of Piedmont, Ohio; Mother, Ruth Isabelle Calkins of Waldport, Oregon; brother Lewis McWilliams of Chicago, Illinois; brother, Ronald McWilliams of Harrisonville, Missouri.
He is survived by the love of his life Ginger Rickard, sister Rebecca Kelly of Costa Mesa, California, children Kevin (Mika) McWilliams of Muskegon, Michigan, Lisa McWilliams Schroeder of Carver, MN, Brian (Michelle) McWilliams of Tucson, Arizona, and Melissa (Larry) McWilliams Chelsey of John Day, Oregon. Ginger's children Derek (Andrea) Rickard of Tucson, AZ; David Rickard also of Tucson, AZ; Lisa (Lloyd) Mancl of Seattle, WA; Tom Rickard of Dallas, TX, and a host of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
A Memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Dallas, 565 SE Lacreole Drive on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, if you're able, the family would like of you plant something.
After Paul served in the Army, he worked as a handyman in Oregon. He met the love of his life, Ginger Rickard, when he went to give an estimate on projects around her home. They've been together since 1994.
Together they had many adventures, some of which included trips to Thailand, Central America, and Mexico. They had many more trips around the US visiting Paul's children and grandchildren, as well as Ginger's. During their time together they became avid hikers and campers and also enjoyed kayaking and canoeing.
Paul was very involved with his community, as he was a regular volunteer with habitat for Humanity, and later, Meals on Wheels. Hed was always taking the time to talk with the folks on his route when he delivered the meals, laughing and joking and making them feel loved. Paul's second love was gardening. Everywhere he lived, the first thing to go up was a greenhouse, followed by a garden, followed by a bountiful harvest, which he generously shared with neighbors and friends. He definitely had a knack for growing things, not only plants, but relationships as well.
Paul was best known for his quick wit, playful pranks, his strong work ethic, and boundless energy. He was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Wilson McWilliams of Piedmont, Ohio; Mother, Ruth Isabelle Calkins of Waldport, Oregon; brother Lewis McWilliams of Chicago, Illinois; brother, Ronald McWilliams of Harrisonville, Missouri.
He is survived by the love of his life Ginger Rickard, sister Rebecca Kelly of Costa Mesa, California, children Kevin (Mika) McWilliams of Muskegon, Michigan, Lisa McWilliams Schroeder of Carver, MN, Brian (Michelle) McWilliams of Tucson, Arizona, and Melissa (Larry) McWilliams Chelsey of John Day, Oregon. Ginger's children Derek (Andrea) Rickard of Tucson, AZ; David Rickard also of Tucson, AZ; Lisa (Lloyd) Mancl of Seattle, WA; Tom Rickard of Dallas, TX, and a host of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
A Memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Dallas, 565 SE Lacreole Drive on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, if you're able, the family would like of you plant something.