William "Bill" Ray Mead, 72, of Prineville passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 5, 2020.
Bill was born on January 18, 1948, in Portland, Oregon. He was the middle child of Claire A. Mead and Bernice Goree Mead. He attended Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marines and served three consecutive tours in Vietnam. When he returned home his older sister Sheila introduced him to her friend, Fran. They married, had two children and spent 49 years together.
Bill loved fishing, hunting, his family and his five grandchildren. He had a soft spot for animals and took in strays, feeding them when Fran wasn't looking. He watched Gold Fever religiously and dreamed of one day striking it rich while panning for gold on his own claim. He made the world's best-grilled steak. He loved Hamm's beer, all seafood, and peanut butter cookies.
He is survived by his wife, Fran, Christopher and Noele Mead, Christopher and Patricia Distifeno and his five grandchildren: Jacob Mead, Emma Distifeno, Will Distifeno, Nolan Mead and Graysen Mead.
Preceded in death are his parents, Claire and Bernice Mead and his sisters Sheila Lucas and Carol Mead.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Bill's honor to the Oregon Band of Brothers Honor Guard, Prineville Chapter, through Whispering Pines Funeral Home – 3168 NE 3rd Street – Prineville, Oregon 97754
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.