William H. "Bill" Winn

William H. “Bill” Winn passed away September 29th, 2017 at home. He was born October 22, 1928 in La Grande, Oregon. His parents were Roy and Wanda Hogue. Bill married Virginia Proffitt in 1946. From this union, were children Jim, Bill, and Joie. Bill & Virginia divorced in 1968. He was a salesman and distributor nearly all his life, starting in 1953 for La Grande Fruit Company. In 1968, he moved to Nyssa and opened Owyhee Distributing Company. Bill married Bonnie Whipple in 1969, and together they worked tirelessly to make a home, build their business, support their community, and raise funds for many charitable organizations. They made many lasting friendships along the way. In 1990, they sold the business to son Billy and enjoyed many years traveling throughout the world. Bill was dedicated to his business and the community and received numerous awards for outstanding excellence in his business achievements and for his community service. One of Bill’s greatest achievements was twice receiving the Anheuser-Busch Dimensions of Excellence Gold Award, competing against much larger market areas. He raised over $30,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Association and was awarded a trip to present that check to Jerry Lewis on national TV at the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Las Vegas. He was Nyssa Businessman of the Year, Nyssa Chamber of Commerce President, area and district chairman of Ducks Unlimited, on the Board of Directors of Oregon Beer and Wine Association, board member of Malheur County ESD, board of directors of Fraternal Order of Eagles, Grand Marshal Nyssa Night Rodeo and sponsor of the rodeo for over 25 years and was instrumental in constructing the new concessions and restrooms at the rodeo grounds, sponsor of Bud Light Run for 12 years with donations going to the Mary Kay School and the Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, he sponsored the Frank Lynn Moore Memorial Softball Tournament for MSTI, was a Nyssa Reserve Police Officer for several years, and was instrumental in developing the Nyssa Police Cadet Program, and provided resources for the first Alcohol Awareness Program. Bill was a loving family man and embraced his blended family with his whole heart. He enjoyed incredible family times and created wonderful memories. Pop was an avid hunter and fisherman, an entertainer and story teller, and he filled our home with songs, jokes, and laughter. Bill and Bonnie were known for their gracious entertaining and having fun attending social activities. Bill was preceded in death by his sons Jim Winn and Jon Corfield, and is survived by his wife of 48 years, Bonnie, and children Bill (Sandi) Winn, Joie Torvend, Eydie (Jim) Langley, Merry Corfield, and Terry (Kent) Bowers. He loved each of his 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Winn/Grimaldo Legacy Scholarship” in care of the TVCC Foundation, 650 College Blvd., Ontario, OR 97914.

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