Obituary of William Allen Weber

God has called home “one of the good guys”, our beloved Dad and Grandpa, Bill Weber. He had a wonderful life and he also made a real difference in many other people’s lives. Bill was the youngest son of Francis and Margaret (Hennessy) Weber, born and raised in the Brooklyn neighborhood of S.E. Portland in Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. He was a part of the large extended Weber clan and family was always a very important part of his life. Bill was a very special blend of his German (determined) and Irish (big heart) heritage. Bill graduated from Central Catholic High School in the Class of 1954. He played Varsity Football, Basketball and Baseball and was elected Student Body President. Bill went on to St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA., was again elected Student Body President and graduated with a B.A. in 1958. On September 2nd, 1959 he began his career at ESCO Corporation in Portland, joining his father, Francis, and brother, Tom. He transferred to the Seattle office in 1960 and later that year met Patty O’Bryant. Bill and Patty were soon married and the William Weber family was begun. Bill & Patty were blessed with 8 children over the next 13 years: Jeff, Tracey, Lisa, John, Bob, Toby, Peter and Megan. Bill & Patty helped to foster in their children a real faith in God, a strong ethic of hard work & responsibility and a Christian manner of treating others with love and respect. Bill also worked very hard building his career at ESCO to provide for their growing family. He started in sales in Seattle leading to a District Manager role in Portland early in his career. As Bill & Patty’s family continued to grow, Bill continued to advance at ESCO becoming Vice President of Marketing, then overseeing ESCO’s Proprietary Products Division and finally President of the Steel Distribution group for ESCO. Throughout his career, Bill was tough-minded, disciplined, had high expectations for himself and others, and sought to build a foundation of honesty and trust with his key business relationships.Along the way, Bill helped to train and mentor the future leaders of the company. He took great pride in leading and helping others and watching them succeed, calling this more important than any personal success he achieved. He also noted the great help Patty gave him over the years, both with raising the kids while he was traveling and with building relationships with peers and team members. With all the responsibilities and challenges of a demanding career and a large family, Bill & Patty enjoyed getting away to Kauai, Reno, Las Vegas, and ESCOasis in Palm Desert.As his career at ESCO wound down, Bill & Patty began perhaps their favorite time in life as grandparents. Bill often said if he had known how great it was being a Grandpa, he’d have skipped right to it. They both enjoyed being with all 15 of their grandchildren and being part of their lives. Jacob William was the first grandchild, followed by: Bekah, Jonah, Jack, Ellie, Emily, Nick, Abby, Henry, Tasha, Grace, Abe, Cole, Max and Maggie. He was so proud of all of his grandchildren! Bill enjoyed his retirement years very much and often wondered how he’d had time to work all those years. He enjoyed annual summer family vacations to Gearhart, Cannon Beach and Eagle Crest. Bill & Patty celebrated a very special 50th Wedding Anniversary Mass and renewal of vows in 2011 in front of family and friends. After Patty passed away in 2015, Bill found comfort and solace in the wonderful community of Mary’s Woods.He enjoyed re-connecting with friends from Central Catholic, Resurrection Catholic Parish and ESCO and making many new friends at his new home. He especially enjoyed getting to know a number of the retired Sisters of the Holy Names. Bill helped to arrange a 100th Birthday party for his good friend Leo, enjoyed numerous trips to Spirit Mountain and Ilani with his friends and family and greatly enjoyed the company of his very special friend, Dixie Harrison. Bill was diagnosed with late-stage esophageal cancer in mid-November and returned home to Mary’s Woods a short time later where he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Bill was predeceased by his parents, his sister Joanne and brother Tom, his beloved wife Patty, daughter Tracey and nephews Scott & Greg Weber. His spirit will live on in his 7 children, 15 grandchildren and 9 nieces and nephews. Bill often said, “It’s better to be lucky than good”, but we think it’s even better to be BOTH, like the beloved Dad & Grandpa that he was. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Bill on Thursday December 12th at 11:00 AM at the Chapel of the Holy Names at Mary’s Woods – 17400 Holy Names Drive in Lake Oswego, OR.There is parking next door at Marylhurst University campus with shuttle service to the chapel building. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to L’Arche, Central Catholic H.S. or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at www.AFSP.org There is also a digital guest book online at www.autumncares.com