Baker City, Oregon
William Franklin “Bill” Lambeth, 87, a longtime Baker City resident, died April 12, 2003, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
At his request, there will be no funeral. Disposition was by cremation.
Mr. Lambeth was born Nov. 13, 1915, at Wichita Falls, Texas. He was a son of P. A. and Laura Myrtle Knight Lambeth. He attended schools in Texas and California and after graduating, went to work as a manager for a wholesale electric supply company in Escondido, Calif.
He entered the U.S. Army on June 10, 1943. He was stationed in Europe and fought in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Central Europe and Germany. He was decorated with the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theater Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, and a Bronze Star.
He received a Purple Heart after he was injured by a bomb that exploded at Limburgh. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 31, 1945, as a first lieutenant, combat liaison officer.
On May 30, 1962, he married La Wanda Hall at Carson City, Nev. They continued to live in California until Bill’s retirement in 1979, when they moved to Baker City.
He loved to fish and hunt and spent many hours doing so. He was a member of the National Rifle Association.
Survivors include his wife, La Wanda Lambeth of Baker City; his daughters, Ann Kirkland of Jacksonville, Fla., and Linda Simms of Escondido, Calif; his son-in-law, Larry Martin Sr. of Baker City; grandchildren, Larry Martin Jr. and his wife, Candace, of North Powder; and Pam Spencer and her husband, Roger, of Vancouver, Wash., and many other grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, David Chafy; his daughter, Aprildiane Martin; sisters, Ann Lunder and Lillie Cory; and a brother, Oscar K. Lambeth.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association through Coles Funeral Home, 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, April 18, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor