Former Brookings resident William Paul “Bill” Amborose, of Coos Bay, died Aug. 26, 2011 at his home. 

He was born April 29, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Henry Harrison Ambrose and Marjorie Ruth (Harwood) Ambrose.

Bill grew up in Cleveland. He attended Ohio State University briefly before being drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He was wounded while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, and was taken prisoner by the Germans. 

After recuperating in England and stateside, he attended Bob Jones University, in Greenville, S.C., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education, with a minor in music. He earned a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, and completed doctoral studies at Arizona State University.

Music would be his lifetime vocation. He enjoyed every aspect of Christian music, from leading congregational singing and choirs to memorable cantatas.

Bill’s first teaching position was as a music teacher in Green Springs, Ohio, where he taught vocal and instrumental music, kindergarten through 12th grade. His next position was at Cedarville College, now Cedarville University, in Cedarville, Ohio. At Cedarville, he formed a traveling choir and coached tennis. His years teaching band at Chandler Junior High School in Chandler, Ariz., were highlighted by prize-winning marching bands. 

He was in school administration in Oregon at Oakland, Vernonia, Tillamook and Brookings, where he was superintendent of Brookings-Harbor School District from 1970 to 1980. 

In 1981 he became executive director for Del Norte County Taxpayer League. In retirement, he moved to Myrtle Point in 1993 and to Coos Bay in 2000. He was a member of Charleston Community Church. 

Bill married Jacqueline Mae Kimpel Sept. 13, 1947, in Cleveland. Together they raised seven children who, along with their faith in God, were the focus of their lives. Bill enjoyed many activities with his family including traveling, camping and fishing. His family has fond memories of singing away the hours as they traveled.

He is survived by his wife  Jacqueline; daughter Elizabeth and husband Lennard Wallstrom; grandson Peter Wallstrom and wife Alecia and children Hannah and Harrison; granddaughter Joy and husband David Meyer and children Joshua, Caleb, Nathan, David Peter, Naomi and Matthew; daughter Catherine and husbandWilliam Barclay; granddaughter Candace and husband David Olds and children Christopher, Madeline, Gabrielle and A J; grandson Steven Barclay and wife Heidi and children James, Daniel and Corbin; granddaughter Rebekah and husband Shea Coombs and daughter Melissa; daughter Virginia and husband Richard Cummings; granddaughter Trishah Neikirk and friend Murphy Hendrickson and children Aurora, Logan, Ava, Ember and Mariposa; granddaughter Tamara Cummings and friend Terry Phillips; grandson Richard Cummings and friend Lisa Scott; grandson Randall Cummings and friend Ariel Eberle; granddaughter Tiffany and husband Ian Watson and daughter Savannah; son Daniel Ambrose and wife Michelle; granddaughter Mandie and husband Johnny Morris and children Cort and Ty; granddaughter Alexandra Ambrose; granddaughter Danielle Ambrose; son Samuel Ambrose and wife Michelle; grandson Joshua Ambrose and wife Danielle and children, Maizie and Lilly; grandson Jared Ambrose and wife Perla; grandsons Jordan and Justin; son Matthew Ambrose and wife, Kerri; granddaughters Audrey and Abigail.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother Harry and sister Dorothy. 

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at Charleston Community Church, 90402 Metcalf St., in Charlestown. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Gideons International, Coos County Camp, P.O. Box 622, Coquille, OR 97423.

Arrangements under the direction of Coos Bay Chapel. 

Submitted by 

Coos Bay Chapel.