Billy Marshal Pond

March 28, 1948 – March 14, 2020

Billy Marshal Pond was born March 28th, 1948, in McMinnville, Oregon to parents George and Minnie Pond. He was the sixth of eight children. Billy is survived by his wife Becky, two sisters, Jean and Judy, brother Jerry, three sons, Eric, Isaac, and Adam, seven grandchildren, four step-children, and eleven step-grandchildren. Billy passed away on March 14th, 2020.

Billy was a Navy Vietnam war veteran, stationed in San Diego as a fireman on a destroyer. While stationed, he would write to his sister to ensure that his youngest nephew wouldn’t forget him.

Billy showed love and kindness to everyone he met, and they loved him right back. He was kind, thoughtful, and respected by all who met him. He was the one who could get you to smile if you were having a hard time. If he had the opportunity, he would talk to you all day about his Oldsmobile or motorcycle. His least favorite topic was politics, but he could talk all day about how it was going wrong and how he would fix it.

Billy drove semi-truck for a year; between trucking and vacationing he has been in almost every state in the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and also went to Mexico, and Canada. Billy was a master craftsman, working in many trades such as finish carpentry, mantle building, and upholstery. He even built his own home by Silver Falls State Park, with two sides of the property touching the beloved park.

Billy could relate to each of his sons in various ways. With his oldest son, Eric, Billy would discuss organic blueberry farming and help around the farm. Isaac, his middle son, and Billy would get fired up about about politics and enjoyed riding and discussing motorcycles together. With Adam, his youngest, Billy would spend many hours working on his ‘37 Oldsmobile.

Billy was a doting grandfather, who would never shy away from traditions such as making his grandchildren sugary waffles the morning they were to leave to their parents. He passed many of his favorite things down to his grandchildren, such as his love of photography to his eldest grandchild, and his love of hiking and being outdoors to most of his children and grandchildren. He showed them the wonder of the stars and was always in awe of God’s creation.

Billy spent many days at Silver Falls State Park with his grandchildren, children, or on his own. He loved to hike and backpack, especially with his sons Eric, Isaac, and Adam.  He has hiked many mountains and trails including Silver Falls State Park, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Jefferson, and all the Sisters. Billy had many hobbies including astronomy, gardening, photography, and riding motorcycles. Billy built his own telescope so he could attach his camera to it to capture the wonder of the stars. He went to many star parties over the years and was annually in attendance at the Oregon Star Party.

Billy was a devout Seventh-day Adventist and a strong man of God who believed in the afterlife. Earth has lost a great man that will be sorely missed, but heaven has gained another saint who we can look forward to seeing again someday.

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