Enterprise, Oregon
William (Bill) Harold Noland, 83, of Enterprise, died Nov. 2 at Wallowa Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. A 2 p.m. memorial service will be conducted Saturday at the VFW Post 4307 Hall in Enterprise, with private burial in the Enterprise Cemetery.
Mr. Noland was born Feb. 2, 1923, in Boise. At 16 he left school to join the Civilian Conservation Corps for a year. He returned to high school in Idaho but left again during his senior year to join the Air Force in December 1941.
He received his high school diploma while in the military. As a B-29 flight engineer, he flew 23 missions over Japan and was once forced to land on Iwo Jima returning from a mission. He was discharged in November 1945.
On April 6, 1946, he married Pat Gratton. That fall he enrolled in Idaho State College, graduating with a degree in pharmacy. He practiced in Emmett, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane and traveled as a service representative for Pfizer Laboratories for eight years.
He was the co-owner of Moon Drug in La Grande until 1968 when he bought Bill’s Economy Drug in Enterprise. He took pride in his profession, serving his community until retiring in 1986.
He enjoyed water sports, photography and golf. He was a member of VFW Post 4307 and BPOE 1829 Elks.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, of Enterprise; sons, Scott of Enterprise and Mike and Joe, both of Spokane; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the charity of choice in care of Bollman Funeral Home, 315 W. Main St., Enterprise 97828.
The Observer, Obituaries For The Week Ending Nov. 11, 2006, Published: November 11, 2006