William Edward Coultas Sr.

William “Bill” Coultas Sr.

July 6th 1929 – May 10th 2020

A man who lived an adventurous life and with conviction, passed away May 10th 2020 at 90 years of age, surrounded by love and on his own terms.

He was born in Aberdeen Washington to Franklin Kingdon Coultas Sr. and Frankie Mae Wilkins. The youngest of four siblings. Having moved all around the state of Washington and along the Oregon coastline – he shared many adventures and stories.

Graduating High School from Toledo High in Oregon, he served time in the Navy and the Coastguard, a veteran of both Word War II and the Korean War. He was stationed in the Philippines, which he fell to love the culture and cuisine.

Eventually settling in Portland, Oregon. He managed Nudelman Bros. shoe store in Downtown Portland and was a write-in candidate for Republican National Committeeman.

In 1959 he was set up on a blind date, where he met the love of his life, Maryln. “After that date, I knew she was the one!” Bill and Maryln were married in 1960 at St. Rose Catholic Church, which they were active members for over 40 years.

In 1970, Bill became a Refrigeration Mechanic, which he enjoyed. He was also a Coach and Umpire for Hollywood Little League for several years. He loved the kids and they loved him! Bill eventually retired in the 1980’s from Kaiser Permanente.

Having a love for the outdoors and a passion for fishing, that included constructing fishing poles and fabricating fishing lures, which in his 80’s taught himself computer technology and created his own fishing lure website, “Boots Baits”

Bill and Maryln raised 5 children in the home Maryln’s grandfather built and she lived in from the age of 9 to 73 years of age, sharing the home with Bill for 46 years until they relocated to Vancouver, Washington, where they began new adventures and making new memories. They joined Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Vancouver, which they enjoyed.

In 2013, Bill lost “the love of his life” and stated everyday how much he missed her. He managed to stay active and enjoyed fishing trips, gardening, his bird and squirrel feeders, road trips and his family.

In early 2020, complications from surgery resulted in intermittent dementia, it was then that he moved back into the home now owned by his youngest daughter, that he shared 46 years with Maryln and was cared for by his family.

On May 9th he declared he was ready and passed away the next morning, in his home and in the same room he shared with his wife for all those 46 years, deciding it was time to join Maryln on her day, Mother’s Day.

Bill will be remembered by his children for all the camping adventures, road trips, sneaking pets in under his coat behind Mom’s back, fishing, hunting, his bird and squirrel feeders, tall childhood stories and the history behind every building and location in Portland.

Oh, and his “short cuts” he would tell us to take after he was unable to drive any longer, that ended up being double the distance and taking twice as long, but gave him an opportunity to share stories and he just enjoyed being out on the road.

Bill will be remembered by his extended family and friends, not only for his love of the outdoors, but for his sarcastic and stubborn nature, his overall good sense of humor, his smile and always ready with a tall tale, which on some occasions, probably exaggerated to an extent, but always good entertainment.

Bill is survived by his five children, William “Bill” Coultas Jr., Catherine “Cathy” Coultas Mounts, Karen Coultas Nicholas, David Coultas and Mary Coultas Moreno; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bill will be greatly missed and always loved, but we know he has joined his wife he loved so dearly and probably planning their next adventure, while Maryln bakes something amazing for their trip.

Bill will be interned alongside his wife at Riverview Abbey, Crypt side.

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