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MEDFORD Bill 'Papa' Singler was former Medford mayor, dedicated local sports fan 'Papa' Singler dies at age 86 after long battle with cancer Comment By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 at 6:12 PM Updated Aug 6, 2015 at 6:23 PM By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 at 6:12 PM Updated Aug 6, 2015 at 6:23 PM » Social News A sports-loving family has seen its patriarch, William August “Bill” Singler, make the final pass. The 86-year-old Medford resident and former Medford mayor — called "Papa" by family and friends alike — died Thursday morning after a long battle with esophageal cancer. “There’s a heck of a lot of memories around Dad,” said Bill Singler Jr., 62, of Medford. “He was a very civic-minded guy. He was born and raised in Medford.” The family will hold a memorial service at Kids Unlimited, 821 North Riverside Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. In lieu of flowers, Singler requested donations go to the Medford Parks and Recreation Department. Singler’s children and grandchildren, including professional basketball player Kyle Singler, have gained fame for their sports achievements over the years. But Papa Singler also believed in community service, serving as a city councilor and as mayor from 1968 to 1972, and as an active participant in many local organizations and events. Bill Singler Jr., who played football at Stanford and now coaches the South Medford High School football team, said that due to his dad's influence, he always had a ball in his hands from the time he was a small child. That's something that has been passed on to his own children, as well as his siblings’ children. “Certain people grow up to be politicians like the Kennedy family,” Bill said. “Others grow up with musicians. My dad just loved to play sports.” “Papa” Singler had four children, Ed Singler, 55, of Medford; Shelley Boyd, 59, of Medford; Tiffany Gomez, 59, of Fremont, Calif.; and Bill Singler Jr. He had eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Local residents remember Singler as a regular fixture at local high school games as well as other events in the valley. “He definitely made his mark in Medford,” Bill Jr. said. Born Oct. 31, 1928, Singler was involved in track, football and basketball at Medford High and was a charter member of the Medford Sports Hall of Fame. His father died when he was 15, and he became more responsible for taking care of his family. Singler graduated from high school in 1947. After high school, he attended Southern Oregon University and the University of Oregon but cut his college studies short to return home to take care of his family. In 1951, he married Suzanne, who died Jan. 30, 1995, after her own battle with cancer. Singler owned a gas station and later an auto supply store before going into the financial business in his 40s. One of Bill Jr.’s favorite memories was after his team had won the state football championship in 1969. “At the end of the game, we threw him in the shower,” Bill remembers. “It was a cold, icy night, and my dad was standing there dripping wet. That was quite a memory.” Bill Jr.'s younger brother Ed remembers his father was a busy man who nevertheless always had time for his family and rarely missed a game. William Singler's grandson and Ed's son Kyle, a South Medford graduate, now plays in the National Basketball Association for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Kyle's younger brother E.J. plays professional basketball in Europe. One of Ed's fondest memories is of being a 9-year-old who waited impatiently for his father to get off work. “I dragged him outside in his suit with his wingtips on, and we would punt back and forth,” remembers Ed, who went on to quarterback the Oregon State Beavers. “If you punted into a neighbor’s yard, you lost a point. It was great fun.” Ed said his father continued to be as active as possible until fairly recently. The Singler name has a long legacy in the valley. August Singler, William Singler’s grandfather, was a Jackson County sheriff who died in the line of duty in 1913. “Our roots go a long way back in this valley,” Ed said. “My dad had a great love of Medford." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 541-776-4476 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/reporterdm .   By Damian Mann Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 6, 2015 at 6:12 PM Updated Aug 6, 2015 at 6:23 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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