William Fessel

William C. Fessel, (Bill) died May 27, 2026, at 9:30 AM at his home in Haines, Oregon, at 92 years old. His memorial service will be at First Presbyterian Church in Baker City at 11:00 AM on June 27, 2026, with Rev. Cynthia Wunder officiating. Mr. Fessel’s remains have been cremated. Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel in Baker City is handling interment, which will be at the Rock Creek Cemetery on June 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Bill was born July 28, 1933, in Newburgh, New York, to William C. Fessel, Sr., and Catherine W. Sargent. He attended public schools in New York State, Texas, Idaho, and Connecticut before graduating from New Lebanon Central School, Lebanon Springs, New York, in 1950. His college education was in Forestry at Syracuse University and Public Administration at the University of Southern California.

Following completion of his formal education, he had a 35-year career with the U. S. Forest Service, serving at many locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, including Tiller, Powers, Agness, Grants Pass, Cave Junction, Salem, Waldport, Corvallis, and Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. He retired in 1988.

Bill married Patricia Anne Reed at Corvallis, Oregon, on August 2, 1969. They lived in Corvallis and Boring, Oregon, and Redmond, Washington, before moving to Baker County in 1983. They had a deep, remarkable love for each other, and Bill cared for Pat through her end-of-life journey 10 years ago and missed her every day since.

A faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church wherever he lived, Bill served his church at various times as a Deacon, an Elder, Clerk of Session, and as the Moderator of the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon.

A proud Rotarian for over 40 years, he was involved in many service projects over the years and was the past president of the Rotary Club of Baker City. He had a true passion for the student exchange program and continued his involvement until the very end of his life.

His passions over the years included writing, gardening, skiing, camping, canoeing, bird watching, and hiking. He lived a life of selfless service, truly embodying the belief that if he could help, he should say yes. This attitude of service and connection was prevalent throughout Bill’s life.

The people whose lives he touched remember him most fondly as the kindest and gentlest of souls, with a heart of gold and a story or song for every occasion. Bill knew how to meet each person he met exactly where they were and provided guidance, friendship, and mentorship to many over the years, often passing along his love of nature and the outdoors to younger generations.

One of the greatest lessons he passed along was to remain vigilant for the beauty in the natural world, from the grandest peaks and glorious sunrises, his favorite time of day, to the tiniest insects, and loved to exclaim at the wonder of each — great or small. Bill will be remembered fondly as the editor-in-chief of the Favorite Slough Gazette.

Bill is survived by his loving daughter, Julia Reed-Voldal of Federal Way, WA; his grandson, Joshua Reed, and his wife, Kristen Reed, of Missoula, MT; and a great-granddaughter, Kiara Reed, of Missoula, MT. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Pat, his parents, and six siblings.

Memorial contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Baker City through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.