William "Bill" Hale Esselstyn

William “Bill” Hale Esselstyn passed away on August 2, 2017 at the age of 89 in Medford, Oregon.  Bill was born in Echo, Oregon on September 21, 1927 to Clifford “Brick” Harlow Esselstyn and Clydie E. Esselstyn.

Bill graduated from Echo High School and received a football scholarship to the University of Washington.  He played for the Huskies for 1 year before serving in the Navy during WWII.  He was stationed in San Pedro, CA.  After the war, he completed his college education at Eastern Oregon University.  Bill was a physical education Teacher and coach in the Medford area for over 21 years.  Later, he became co-owner of Barco Supply, a local chemical/janitorial supply company.  He also was a basketball and football referee in the PAC 8 conference.  In his retirement years, Bill enjoyed the life of a “snowbird” alternating between Woodburn Oregon where he lived on a golf course, and Casa Grande, Arizona.  He loved to golf, fish and hunt.

Bill lived in Echo, Medford, Portland, Woodburn, and Jacksonville Oregon, along with Dallas and McKinney Texas.

He was married to Mary L. Birrer (1949-1969), Betty Jean Martin (1970-2004), and Darlene Rivas (2006 – 2014).  He is survived by 4 sons, William Douglas Esselstyn (Veneta, Oregon), Clifford Dwight Esselstyn and his wife Denise Esselstyn (Klamath Falls, Oregon), John Bradley Esselstyn (Tucson, Arizona), and Stuart Todd Esselstyn and his wife Heidi May (Kirkland, Washington).  He is survived by 1 step-son, Rick Martin (Henderson, Nevada).  Bill has 5 grandchildren Chadwick Willard, Melissa Esselstyn, Brandon Esselstyn, Anthony Esselstyn, and Andrew Esselstyn. He has 3 great grandchildren, Ethan Huddleston, Drake Willard, and Haley Willard.

Bill is predeceased by the love of his life Betty Jean Martin, his parents Brick and Clydie, his sister Betty Clayton, uncle Rod Esselstyn and his granddaughter Kristy Huddleston.

A graveside service will be held at the Echo Cemetery, 1000 Echo Cemetery Road, Echo Oregon, 97826 at 2 pm on August 13, 2017.

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of local arrangements.

 Service Information