Obituaries: William Paul “Bill” Ambrose (April 29, 1926 – Aug. 26, 2011)

William Paul “Bill” Ambrose was born April 29, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Henry Harrison Ambrose and Marjorie Ruth (Harwood) Ambrose. He died in Coos Bay, Ore. Bill grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Ohio State University briefly before being drafted into the Army during WWII. He was wounded while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and was taken prisoner by the Germans. After recuperating in England and stateside, he attended Bob Jones University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education, minoring in music. Music would be his lifetime avocation. He enjoyed every aspect of Christian music, from leading congregational singing and choirs to memorable cantatas. He received his master’s degree from Case Western Reserve and did doctoral studies at Arizona State University.

Bill’s first teaching position was as a music teacher in Green Springs, Ohio where he taught vocal and instrumental music K-12. His next position was at Cedarville College, now Cedar­ville University. At Cedarville, he formed a traveling choir and coached tennis. His years teaching band at Chandler, Ariz., Junior High were highlighted by prize-winning marching bands. He was in school administration in Oregon at Oakland, Vernonia, Tillamook and Brookings, where he was superintendent of schools from 1970 to 1980. In 1981 he became executive director for the Del Norte County Tax Payer League.

In retirement, he moved to Myrtle Point in 1993 and to Coos Bay in 2000. He was a member of Charleston Community Church. Bill married Jacquelin Mae Kimpel September 13, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio. Together they raised seven children who, along with their faith in God, were the focus of their lives. Bill enjoyed many activities with his family including traveling, camping and fishing. His family has fond memories of singing away the hours as they traveled.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harry and sister, Dorothy. He is survived by his wife, Jacquelin; daughter, Elizabeth and husband, Lennard Wallstrom; grandson, Peter Wallstrom and wife, Alecia and children, Hannah and Harrison; granddaughter, Joy and husband, David Meyer and children, Joshua, Caleb, Nathan, David Peter, Naomi and Matthew; daughter, Catherine and husband, William Barclay; granddaughter, Candace and husband, David Olds and children, Christopher, Madeline, Gabrielle and A J; grandson, Steven Barclay and wife, Heidi, and children James, Daniel and Corbin; granddaughter, Rebekah, husband, Shea Coombs and daughter, Melissa; daughter, Virginia and husband, Richard Cummings; granddaughter, Trishah Neikirk, friend, Murphy Hendrickson and children, Aurora, Logan, Ava, Ember and Mariposa; granddaughter, Tamara Cummings and friend, Terry Phillips; grandson, Richard Cummings and friend, Lisa Scott; grandson, Randall Cummings and friend, Ariel Eberle; granddaughter, Tiffany, husband, Ian Watson and daughter, Savannah; son, Daniel Ambrose and wife, Michelle; granddaughter, Mandie and husband, Johnny Morris and children Cort and Ty; granddaughter, Alexandra Ambrose; granddaughter, Danielle Ambrose; son, Samuel Ambrose and wife, Michelle; grandson, Joshua Ambrose and wife, Danielle and children, Maizie and Lilly; grandson, Jared Ambrose and wife, Perla; grandsons, Jordan and Justin; and son, Matthew Ambrose and wife, Kerri; granddaughters, Audrey and Abigail.

The memorial service will be held at Charleston Community Church on Saturday, September 10, 2011, at 2 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Gideons International, Coos County Camp, P.O. Box 622, Coquille, OR 97423.

Arrangements are under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131

— Submitted by Coos Bay Chapel