William John Holcomb - Obituaries - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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William John Holcomb Saturday Mar 19, 2016 at 2:00 AM William John Holcomb, 95, of Prineville, Ore. and formerly of Medford, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016 at his home. He was born January 17, 1921 to Clyde and Ruby (Hartley) Holcomb in Junction City, Ore. William attended Grants Pass High School, graduating in 1939. He served our country in the U.S. Navy for 11 years and was a Pearl Harbor survivor on the USS Detroit. He went on to get a diploma for home appliance repair from National Technical School in Los Angeles, Calif. William received an apprenticeship with Pacific Power and Light, and then went on to get his journeyman license as an outside electrician and power house operator. He worked for Pacific Power and Light as a power house operator for 31 years, retiring as a senior operator in 1983. He also worked for an auto body repair shop while living in Nebraska for a time, and for the Highway Department in Oregon. His hobbies included fishing, model ship building, metal crafts, and gardening. William is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Pauline; his two sons, Melvin P. Holcomb (Beverly) and Dennis D. Holcomb (Diane); his daughter-in-law, Katie Holcomb; eight grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Marvin J. Holcomb. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 2016 at the First Nazarene Church, 1974 East McAndrews Road in Medford, Oregon. Pastors Larry Knight and Kevin Gowan will officiate. Whispering Pines Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements; 185 N.E. 4th Street, Prineville, Ore. 97754.  541-416-9733.