William Edward McConville

Bill McConville of Sisters passed away at Hospice Center on December 8, with his family at his side.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Barbara F. McConville; survived by his current wife, Leanne McConville; his sister Virginia Freier; his three children, Pamela Barajas, Paula Morgan and Chet McConville; seven grandchildren, Brian Hoffman, Jason Hoffman, Sam Huff, Chad Huff, Heather Zepeda, Jillian Zepeda, Chelsie McConville; and four great-grandchildren, Abagail Hoffman, Ashlyn Hoffman, Hadley Hoffman and Zane Huff.

Born in Centerville, Iowa April 5,1927, he made trips back to Centerville to attend reunions with his classmates over recent years. He served in the Navy as a Quartermaster third-class on four different ships during the Pacific Campaign of World War II.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Bill returned to St. Ambrose College in Davenport , Iowa, and graduated with a BA in Business in 1950.

He often told the stories of the McConville coal mines in Centerville during his childhood. His family cared for the coal mine ponies in their yard during the off seasons.

Bill moved out to California, at the encouragement of his brothers and uncles, to find his dream. He had a successful career in banking and eventually became vice president of the trust department for the Bank of America in California. After retirement from the Bank of America, he acquired his real estate and pilot's licenses.

Bill relocated to Central Oregon in 1991 with wife, Barbara. Bill and Barbara purchased the now-famous Christmas Mountain Magic gift store in Sisters and eventually opened a second store in Sunriver.

He and Barbara became very involved in the Sisters community over the years through Kiwanis, The Knights of Columbus, Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sisters Rodeo. After Barbara died in 1998, Bill faced new challenges. He reconnected with a former high school "sweetheart" and began another "happily ever after" with Leanne Mitchell-McConville in the summer of 1999.

A Memorial Mass was held on Friday, December 12 at St. Edward the Martyr Catholic Church in Sisters.

Information provided by the family of Bill McConville.