Bill Vernon Vehrs Sr.

Billy Vernon Vehrs Sr., age 80, died Mar. 8, 2025, in Vancouver, Washington, of heart failure. He was born May 25, 1944, in Hillsboro, Oregon, to parents Vernon and Faye Vehrs. He attended schools in Portland, graduating from David Douglas High School in 1962. He held a variety of vocations, including mill work, welding, sales, auctioneering, and ranching on his small farm south of Roseburg. He moved to Vancouver, Washington, in 2006, to live closer to family. He was an Elks member and enjoyed playing poker. He loved tending to his garden and barbeques with family and friends on his back deck, overlooking Portland. Bill believed in living each day to the fullest. He enjoyed cigars, rock and roll, telling jokes and having parties. He was an avid reader of world history, loved long reflective talks, was an excellent confidante, a father figure to many, and will be sorrowfully missed.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of seven years, LaVerne Vehrs; former wife Sally Miars of Milwaukie, OR, and their children, Billy Vernon Vehrs Jr. (wife Angela) of Gladstone, OR, and Brian Vehrs of Oregon City, OR; and his daughter Julie Helgason (husband Paul) of Vancouver, WA, and his sister Teri Salisbury (husband Phill) of Damascus, OR. His grandchildren are Billy Vernon Vehrs III of New York, Bradley Vehrs of San Antonio, Texas, Darah Cannefax (husband Xavier) of Bali, Blake Vehrs of Corvallis, OR, Bryce Vehrs (wife Katie) of Seattle, WA, Helen Helgason and Norman Helgason, both of Vancouver, WA. Billy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews that loved their Uncle Bill, including Victoria Hansen, Ric Welding, Joe Welding, Tracy Root, Jenny McKenzie, Ryan Salisbury, Greg Wood, Laurie Godfrey, Kelly Godfrey, Sandra Tucker, Erin Tucker, and Cara Stuart. He also leaves behind bonus daughters Janie Sabo, Amie Shotwell, and Mary Osborne, as well as his best friends Loren and Christina Simonis of Roseburg, OR. He is predeceased by his parents, baby brother David, his sister Gayle Lewis, and his loving wife of almost 50 years, Barbara Vehrs.

We are grateful Bill found love and happiness these last years of his life with his loving wife LaVerne, who was by his side for the last eight years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Clubhouse at Vista Del Rio, Vancouver, WA. Bill loved a party, so please wear Hawaiian shirts/attire, or purple, his favorite color, and bring a dish to help celebrate his life in style.

For more information, please contact Julie Helgason at 360-907-8797.