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William Montgomery ’51

A major force in the Portland advertising community, William joined his father’s agency, Richard G. Montgomery and Associates Advertising Agency, in 1950, working with his late father and his brother, Richard Jr., for two decades. He continued in the advertising business as agency principal and owner until his retirement in 1989. During his career, he was an instructor at the school of journalism, University of Oregon; business school at Portland State University; and Bassist College, of which he was a board member and past chairman

Born in Portland, William graduated from Lincoln High School, served in the Army Air Force during the closing months of World War II, and then attended Reed. His father was a noted Northwest author and book reviewer, and during his father’s last days and following his death, William continued his father’s “book chats” radio program for several years. His grandfather was for 50 years the president of the J.K. Gill Company, founded by his great-grandfather Joseph Kaye Gill.

William graduated from the University of Oregon in 1950 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps for years as an instructor at Quantico, Virginia. He remained active in the Marine Reserve as commanding officer of a marksmanship training unit.

For more than half of his life, he lived near the Willamette River—the last 44 years in a houseboat at the Portland Rowing Club. He was an original member of the Wilsonville City Council, a scuba diver, a parachutist, and a pilot. A member of the National Rifle Association, William was active in firearms safety instruction, instructor training, and competition.

Preceded in death by his son, Michael Montgomery, William is survived by his daughters, Susan Montgomery and Barbara Kreher, and his son, Dennis Montgomery.

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