William Swindells, Sr., the philanthropist and retired lumber industry executive who nurtured the growth of Portland-based Willamette Industries Inc. from a handful of small sawmills to a major, national wood products concern died Monday in St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center.
Starting in the lumber business as a choker-setter during the Depression and eventually working his way into management, Mr. Swindells oversaw the rapid developemnt of Willamette Industries during the 1950's and '60s, after becoming company president in 1951.
Mr. Swindells was born in Baltimore and moved with his family to Oregon in 1912. He attended Portland public schools and graduated with a civil engineering degree from Lehigh University in 1926.
His first wife of 44 year, the former Irene Gerlinger, died in 1973.
Mr. Swindells' survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; two sons, William of Portland and George of Salem; a daughter, Anne Finkbeiner Crumpacker of Portland; and eight grandchildren.
The Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), July 10, 1985, page 20
Photo; This is only a portion of a large article on Mr. Swindells.
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Oregon Death Index
Name: Swindells, William
Birth Date: 08 Feb 1905
Death Date: 08 July 1985
County: Washington
Spouse Name: Elizabeth
Certificate No.: 85-13060
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William Swindells, Sr., the philanthropist and retired lumber industry executive who nurtured the growth of Portland-based Willamette Industries Inc. from a handful of small sawmills to a major, national wood products concern died Monday in St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center.
Starting in the lumber business as a choker-setter during the Depression and eventually working his way into management, Mr. Swindells oversaw the rapid developemnt of Willamette Industries during the 1950's and '60s, after becoming company president in 1951.
Mr. Swindells was born in Baltimore and moved with his family to Oregon in 1912. He attended Portland public schools and graduated with a civil engineering degree from Lehigh University in 1926.
His first wife of 44 year, the former Irene Gerlinger, died in 1973.
Mr. Swindells' survivors include his wife, Elizabeth; two sons, William of Portland and George of Salem; a daughter, Anne Finkbeiner Crumpacker of Portland; and eight grandchildren.
The Oregonian, (Portland, Oregon), July 10, 1985, page 20
Photo; This is only a portion of a large article on Mr. Swindells.
*******************************************
Oregon Death Index
Name: Swindells, William
Birth Date: 08 Feb 1905
Death Date: 08 July 1985
County: Washington
Spouse Name: Elizabeth
Certificate No.: 85-13060
*******************************************
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