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Bill and
Virginia live in Forest Grove in a lovely home just a few blocks
from church. Bill was born in Forest Grove. His Dad was a logger
and built a log cabin in Vernonia, closer to work and the family
lived there quite a few years. In 1955, the family moved back to
Forest Grove so the children could have a better education and have
lived her ever since.
Bill graduated
in 1964 and went to work logging for a time. When it looked like he
would be drafted in 1965, Bill joined instead the National Guard.
Then he was able to go to work for N.W. Natural and stayed there for
thirty eight years. Finally, he took early retirement so he could
spend more time with his aging Father.
Virginia was
born in Deadwood, S.D. in 1948. Mother married John Gross, a
German. After she remarried the family moved to California and
lived there for ten years. When Virginia was in the fourth grade,
the family came to Gaston where she went to school. She went to
Forest Grove High School when she was a sophomore and graduated in
1966.
Virginia’s
brother was Bill’s friend so Virginia hitched a ride with Bill to
school. Today Bill says he picked up a hitchhiker, too her out of
Gaston and brought her to the big city of Forest Grove. They were
married in 1968 and have been married forty-one years.
Virginia worked
at Techtronics until her two children were born. When her children
were older, she went back to work at Compass for ten years. They
made metal detectors. Then she moved to Custom Electronics who made
circuit boards. This was ideal since she lived close to her job and
could take her children to work if need be.
CHILDREN: 1. Lee McKenney 39 years old
2. Lisa McKenney 37 years
old
Both children
and their families live in Forest Grove.
GRANDCHILDREN: 2 boys and 3 girls
Bill and
Virginia raised the oldest granddaughter until she was fifteen.
HOBBIES: They
like to travel when they are able.
CHURCH: In
1983, Bill, Virginia and their two children were baptized together
into the First Baptist Church. It was a very memorable and moving
experience. Bill’s Mother was very strong spiritually and led her
family to be also. They grew to love the Lord. His Mother was
raised on “The Old Rugged Cross”, the Old Testament.
Recently, Bill
and Virginia decided to search and find a new church home. About a
year ago, Virginia and her Mother started coming to Mt. Olive and
then Bill Joined them. |
