William Edward ‘Bill’ Schwanke

Astoria resident, 65William Edward “Bill” Schwanke, 65, of Astoria, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004 in Astoria.

Mr. Schwanke was born Dec. 10, 1938 in Illinois and graduated from high school there. In 1982, he married Judith McKenna in Santa Ana, Calif. She survives, living in Astoria. Mr. and Mrs. Schwanke renewed their wedding vows in 1995.

Mr. Schwanke enlisted in the U.S. Army and served one tour of duty, then worked in janitorial services in California before moving to Clatsop County in 1985. He worked for CRS Janitorial for a few years and in 1989 began working at Home Bakery as a doughnut fryer. In 2001, Mr. Schwanke began working at Lon’s New and Used Furniture in Astoria part time while continuing to work one day a week at the bakery.

His hobbies included drawing and woodworking, family members said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Schwanke is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Benjamin Wilson of Astoria; a grandson, Raztin Wilson of Astoria; a sister, Louise Horton of Fullerton, Calif.; and a niece, Judy Horton of Santa Ana.

A memorial is 4 p.m. Thursday at Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 380 S.E. Spokane St., Suite 110, Portland, OR 97202 or the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 3375, Portland, OR 97208-3375.