Bill Galipeau

William "Bill" Galipeau, 84, of Grants Pass died Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at Highland House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Private family services will be held. Stephens Family Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stephensfamilychapel.com. Galipeau was born Oct. 6, 1923, in Virginia, Minn., to Francis and Lillian Galipeau. In 1942, he graduated from Hibbing High School in Minnesota. During World War II, he served in the Marine Corps from May 26, 1943, until his honorable discharge on Jan. 3, 1946. He fought on Guam in the Mariana Islands from July 21 to Aug. 10, 1944, and on Iwo Jima from Feb. 26 to March 16, 1945. On Aug. 8, 1948, in Sanger, Calif., he married Lucille Brigance, who survives him. They moved to Southern Oregon in 1972 from Fresno, Calif. That same year, they opened the Sunny Valley KOA campground, which he operated for 15 years. He was a member of the Sawdusters and the Marine Corps League. He enjoyed working with his hands, woodworking, backpacking and fishing. In addition to his wife, survivors include three daughters, Jan Christoffersen and Jo Potter, both of Fresno, and Tracy Bellum of Grants Pass; a son, Jeff Galipeau of Bend; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A daughter, Linda Little, died in 2001, and a grandson, Pat Potter, died in 2006.