William “Bill” Thiel

May 17, 1941 – October 7, 2025

A celebration of life will be held from 3:00–6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at The Heights (8000 SE Foster Rd., Portland, OR) to honor our dad and papa, who passed away on October 7th from complications of Parkinson’s. Gathering with drinks, food, stories, and memories is the perfect way to celebrate him and his incredible life.

Bill was born on May 17, 1941, in Dillon, Montana, to Jack and Ivy (Duck) Thiel. He spent his youth raising a little hell throughout the area until leaving to join the U.S. Army in 1958. He later received his diploma from Beaverhead High School as part of the class of 1959. Bill served proudly for three years before being honorably discharged as the Vietnam War was beginning. 

After his service, he spent time cruising on his motorcycle through the western states with a friend—working where he could and enjoying the wind through his rapidly disappearing hair. He eventually returned to Montana to help his mom and stepdad on their ranch in Clyde Park. Fate intervened one evening when he stopped at a tavern for a game of snooker and met a beautiful woman from Helena named Donna. The two hit it off immediately, and when he learned she was moving to Portland with her two children, Bill followed his heart. Bill and Donna were married on May 19, 1972, and made their home in Portland, raising their family together—Donna’s children Scott and Kathy, and their “final additions” Neill and Amy.  Bill worked for the City of Portland as a heavy equipment operator in the Maintenance Bureau until his retirement in 1999. He was a proud member of the Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 483, where he served as president for many years.

He loved to talk—sports, politics, history, or really just about anything. He was always there to coach or cheer on his kids and, later, his grandkids. After retirement, Bill and Donna traveled often—back to Montana, to the coast, through national parks, and to Arizona for Chicago Cubs Spring Training. Most of those trips were just the two of them, but Bill loved company and could make a friend anywhere.

His favorite place was always with family, ideally with a ball game on and a beer (or whiskey!) in hand. He cherished all his roles in life—brother, uncle, dad, husband, neighbor, friend—but his greatest joy was being “Papa”.   His face lit up every time he saw one of his grandkids, and he loved nothing more than spoiling them with treats and laughter. Our world feels a little dimmer now, but the memories and love he gave us will keep shining bright.

Bill is survived by his children Scott Reeves (Deanna), Kathy Arias, Neill Thiel (Allie), and Amy Surina (Mike); his grandchildren David, Amanda, Christopher, Mitchell, Hayley, Kelley, Mathias, Grace, Cy, and Finn; and his great-grandson Zakkary. He is also survived by his sisters Betty Bieler and Krista (John) Gebert, his sister-in-law Ellen Rae Thiel, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, neighbors, and union brothers and sisters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Jack Thiel Jr. and Tom Thiel; and his beloved wife Donna, who passed in 2019.

Cremation has taken place. A private interment will be held at Willamette National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of choice. 

Our family would like to give special thanks to Serggio Matias and family for the amazing care you provided our father.

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