William Barkley Allen
June 12, 1939 – August 16, 2012
SALEM – Surrounded by family and friends who dearly loved him, William B. (Bill) Allen passed away after a brief illness on August 16, 2012. He was born in Clay County, Kentucky on June 12, 1939 to Hugh Fisher Allen and Oma (Burch) Allen. His family moved to Hamilton, Ohio when he was three and he grew up in Southern Ohio, graduating in 1957 from Preble-Shawnee High School in Camden, Ohio. After working as a draftsman for the Ohio Highway Department, Bill enrolled in The Ohio State University, majoring first in Wildlife Management, then Civil Engineering and finally Mathematics Education (which is closely related to wildlife management). A Buckeye through and through, Bill claimed to have gone to the “real OSU†but was an avid fan of the Oregon and Oregon State athletics – at least until they met Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
Bill met his wife, Judith Cornwell Allen at The Ohio State University and they were married in Woodburn, Oregon on December 27, 1966.
After teaching a year in Columbus, Ohio, he moved to Cutler Ridge, Florida where he taught for 7 years , working for civil engineering firms in the summer. In 1973, Bill, his wife and children moved to Salem, Oregon where he taught at both Judson Middle School and Sprague High School until his retirement. He especially enjoyed teaching geometry and his claim to fame was his ability to draw perfect circles freehand on the chalkboard. A coach, advisor, band parent, chaperone and friend to many, many students in his 31 years in the classroom, Bill treasured the relationships formed with students and teaching colleagues.
Bill was assistant Scoutmaster and the Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 19, “the Eagle Troop.†He especially enjoyed the monthly campouts and the 50- mile hikes in the summer. Many young men experienced the adventure of backpacking, rafting, sleeping in a snow cave and growing in leadership with Troop 19.
Bill loved the outdoors, camping, hiking, skiing and canoeing. Bill was also a willing volunteer, driving for Meals on Wheels, hosting and serving on the board of Salem Interfaith Hospitality Network and many volunteer roles at the First United Methodist Church. Traveling, gardening, photography and tennis were among the pastimes he loved, but his passion was flyfishing. He enjoyed the friends he made through Santiam Flycasters and their many trips and activities.
Bill especially loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Judy, children Christina M. (Christopher) Frary of Lynnwood, WA, William B. (Sonja) Allen Jr. of Ophir, CO and Gregory S. (Tera) Allen of Seattle, WA. Bill dearly loved his 6 grandsons; Will, Michael, Andrew, Otis, Levi, and Parker. He was blessed to have had them in his life. He is also survived by two sisters, Alana Bicknell of Bloomfield, Indiana, and Estelle Newkirk of Hamilton, Ohio, many cousins, nieces, nephews , brother and sisters–in-law and dear friends.