LABHART, William Leslie

bluemountaineagle.com 15 Jan 2013 KEIZER – William Leslie Labhart, 88, died Dec. 19 in Keizer. A memorial service will be held Friday, Feb. 1, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, with the Oregon State Police Honor Guard conducting the service. Mr. Labhart was born June 25, 1924, in Portland, the eldest of three children, to Carl and Edith Labhart. He attended schools in Portland, and graduated from Corvallis High School. He attended Oregon State University as a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and flew B17s in the European Theater during World War II. In 1947, he joined the Oregon State Police game division, and was assigned to the Heppner outpost. While there, he met and married Jacqueline Tetz, with whom he had three children. In 1961, he was promoted to corporal, and was assigned to the John Day outpost traffic division. In 1972, he was promoted to sergeant and transferred to the La Grande outpost. He retired in 1979, after 32 years with Oregon State Police. He accomplished one of his goals, which was to be retired longer than he served with the state police. In 1983, he and his wife moved to Salem to care for her father. They lived in Salemtowne where they were involved in many activities. On their many trips to the coast, his car always seemed to break down as it neared Spirit Mountain Casino. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world, and enjoyed sharing their adventures with family and friends. In 2007, they moved to Willamette Lutheran Home in Keizer, where they spent the last years of their lives in a loving and caring environment. He had a fondness for candy bingo and his pinochle group. They received much support and friendship from special friends Allan and Hansie Freebury. The family will miss his sense of humor, caring for others and love of family. Survivors include his sister, Mina Lou (Jim) Jenner of Berkley, Calif.; children, Chris (Kris) Labhart of John Day, Mark (Melanie) Labhart of Tillamook, and Laurie (Paul) Jaffe of Hamburg, N.J.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his wife of 61 years, Jackie; and brother, Robert Labhart. Memorial contributions may be made to Willamette Lutheran Foundation, 7693 Wheatland Road, North Keizer, OR 97303.