NEWS

'Life is good' for Sublimity centenarian

Jamie Yutzie
For the Stayton Mail

One hundred years is something to celebrate.
That’s exactly what Bill Lapschies of Sublimity, his extended family, friends and his little buddy Scooter plan to do.
On April 1, 1916, William “Bill” Lapschies was born. He was the last of three children born to Charles and Dorothy Lapschies. His siblings Margret and Charlie are both gone, but his extended family from around the valley are numerous -- and they look forward to celebrating a milestone with him. 
Bill’s parents were immigrants from Hamburg, Germany, and lived in Deluth, Minnesota until 1912 when they moved to Salem. It was here that Bill was born and raised with his brother and sister. Bill graduated from Salem High School (now North Salem) and went to work for Loder Brothers Automotive where he received his first taste of the car business – a taste he would keep for life.
During his time there, Bill had the opportunity to take his first trip out of Oregon when he was sent with a crew to pick up new cars for the shop from Detroit, Michigan. He said it was quite a sight back then, as he recalled the memory of sparkling new Oldsmobiles. 
“Everyone would stop and stare, as if we were famous, in every town we drove through on our way back to Oregon,” Bill said.
Bill met his match in Almadean “Deanie” Buetel, and they married in August 1940. Their daughters Billie Jean and Carolee were born in 1941 and 1943. After the birth of his second daughter, Bill enlisted in the Army where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands until 1945 when a family emergency brought him home. The war was just ending and the Army honorably discharged him.
Upon returning home, Bill became a salesman at Orville’s used car sales on the corner of Church and Center streets in Salem.
As a young family Bill, Deanie, Billie and Carolee spent many weekends traveling around Oregon. Camping was a family favorite, as were visits to the Oregon coast and nearby mountains. Lapschies family adventures were often made memorable by the many friends who always seemed to accompany them on trips. 
Bill was a father figure to many; souls of young and old were drawn to his friendly demeanor and zest for life. A lifelong friend and one of those kids who was a regular at the Lapschies’ home was Ron Radabaugh.

“He treated everyone with kindness and respect,” Ron said.


Ron spent much of his youth around Bill and his family and has many fond memories of those times.
“Bill would tell me ‘Always smile, enjoy life and treat others like family,’” Ron recalled.
Bill went to work at Philippi Ford in Stayton in 1954 where he became the used car manager and took great pride in being courteous to everyone. 
“I drove every single car that came onto our lot,” he said. 
He always wanted to make sure that each customer received a fair deal for their trade-ins. 
Tyke Sherwood, a long time Stayton area resident, has known Bill for more than 40 years and started working for him at Philippi. 
“He was the best manager I ever had,” Tyke said. “Bill was always honest and sincere with people, and they appreciated it. People are drawn to him because of that smile and good nature…He is just a fine gentleman.”
During his years at Philippi, Bill and Deanie saw both their daughters wed and start their own families. 
After searching for a home closer to Stayton, they finally found five acres just outside of Aumsville and built their home on it in 1970. 
Bill retired from Philippi Ford in 1980, and he and Deanie extended their camping and traveling to places such as Alaska, Denmark, Puerto Vallarta, a few winters in sunny Arizona and, of course, many trips to the coast and their favorite Oregon camping grounds. 
At home they raised cows once in a while, a pig here and there, and they taught their many grandchildren the joys of picking plums from the trees and running around in the mud and leaves on their little farm.
In 1998 they lost their daughter Billie Jean to cancer. 
Bill and Deanie celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together before she, too, died of cancer in 2000.
Bill watched his great granddaughter, Samantha, get married on his farm before making his move to a new home at Marian Estates. He then sold the farm to Sam and her husband, David. Bill now enjoys watching them remodel and make his home their own.
Bill’s daughter, Carolee, and her husband, Jim, spend many days visiting him and taking him on day trips to some of his favorite places like the coast and the head of the Metolious River. 
Bill has 6 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren -- most of whom are within visiting distance of their Grandpa Bill. They enjoy hearing his memories and stories of times gone by and look to his character as something to strive towards.
Bill and his little buddy, a 4-pound Yorkshire terrier named Scooter, drive into Salem weekly for shopping and other such outings. He still enjoys the outdoors and works in his flower beds, keeping them cared for to perfection. He and Scooter take daily walks up to feed the ducks at parks pond.  
He still has that infectious smile and greets everyone as if they are family.

Bill turns 100 years old on April 1st! 
What: William “Bill” Lapschies's family is having an open house at Marian Estates to celebrate his 100ht birthday, and everyone is welcome to stop in!
When: 2-5 p.m. Saturday April 2. 
Where: Maurice’s Bistro 390 SE Church St, Sublimity OR. 
Bill requests no gifts just the pleasure of your company on his big day!!

The war years: William ?Bill? Lapschies and his wife Almadean ?Deanie? (Buetel) Lapschies.
William ?Bill? Lapschies of Sublimity will celebrate 100 years with a gathering 2-5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Maurice?s Bistro 390 SE Church St, Sublimity Ore.
William ?Bill? Lapschies of Sublimity enjoys the outdoors and works in his flower beds keeping them cared for to perfection. He will celebrate 100 years with a gathering 2-5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Maurice?s Bistro 390 SE Church St, Sublimity Ore.
William ?Bill? Lapschies and his wife Almadean ?Deanie? (Buetel) Lapschies, loved the outdoors, whether it was camping in the mountains or visiting the coast.
William ?Bill? Lapschies of Sublimity will celebrate 100 years with a gathering 2-5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Maurice?s Bistro 390 SE Church St, Sublimity Ore.
?Bill? Lapschies and ?Deanie?
William ?Bill? Lapschies of Sublimity will celebrate 100 years with a gathering 2-5 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Maurice?s Bistro 390 SE Church St, Sublimity Ore.