Marianne McChesney

Bill McChesney

William Russell McChesney, Jr. was born in Glendive, Montana, on April 27, 1928, to Kathryn Laura and William Russell McChesney. He grew up in Missoula, Montana with his parents and brother, Harold Lee McChesney, who preceded him in death. Throughout his life, he showed a special love for his sister, Evelyn, who passed away from SIDS at one. Bill ran track for Missoula High School before competing as a scholarship athlete at the University of Montana. He graduated from UM and enrolled at dental school in Oregon. Often, he joked that he was deciding between medical and dental school, so he flipped a coin. The coin chose well because while studying dentistry, Bill met Marcia McFadden. Another bit of lifelong humor was that when they met on a blind date, she was sitting on her roommate's fiancé's lap (there weren't enough chairs) when Bill first met her. Marriage brought them together March 28, 1953. They traveled while Bill served in the Air Force, first moving to Amarillo, Texas. Firstborn Thomas Adrean McChesney arrived there. A year later, they moved to Japan, enjoying the birth of their second son, Steven. Bill and Marcia spoke fondly of their time in Japan and had a love for all the people they met. After his time of service in the Air Force, Bill and Marcia settled in the southern Oregon coastal town of Brookings. There, their third son, William Edward, was born in neighboring Crescent City, California. Ironically, their son would often be referred to as Bill, Jr. even though it was his father who was the true junior. It was also there that Bill was a part of Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) that invited Nobuo Fugita, a former fighter pilot from Japan who had bombed the nearby Oregon forest during World War II to Brookings. Days leading up to the historic meeting were filled with strife, and Bill and Marcia even received a death threat to their family for hosting the pilot. However, the event went forward and would form an incredible bond between the city of Brookings and the Fugita family. Bill and Marcia later hosted Fugita's son at their house as well. Recently, Bill was featured in the documentary film, Samurai in the Oregon Sky. In the early 1960's, Bill and Marcia decided to move to Eugene, Oregon desiring to live in a college town for their boys. Before the whole family moved, Bill started a dental practice in Eugene while they still lived in Brookings, making the long trip back and forth on the old highway. In Eugene, they settled on the house the family would enjoy for over fifty years. Ken, their final son, was born. Thriving as a dentist, Bill returned to a previous passion, running. The story goes that as Tom, Steve, and Billy came home with ribbons from races, Bill decided to take up running again. He joked that initially he was so out of shape that the neighbors must have wondered, "Why is Bill jogging to each telephone pole and hugging it?" In the 1970's, as the running boom in Eugene gained national acclaim, the running community probably could not have predicted Bill's impact, both as a stellar master's runner and supporter of South Eugene, the University of Oregon, and world class distance running. As a runner, Bill set numerous age group American and world records, including perhaps his pinnacle record, a 4:51.5 mile at the the age of 53 in the Twilight Meet at the University of Oregon, the same night his son, Billy, broke the four-minute barrier. He was a legend of many road races throughout the state, and was very proud that he had completed at least 40 Butte to Butte races. In addition to his own excellence in running, Bill, along with his wife, Marcia, were avid supporters of the entire running community. From hosting Duck runners for Sunday night dinners to housing people during numerous Olympic Trials, Olympians and beginners alike were welcome at the McChesney house and dinner table. Bill was monumental in bringing an all-weather track to South Eugene as well as numerous renovations to Hayward Field. Bill was an original founder of "The Race" in Eugene and served as president of the Oregon Track Club. Bill and Marcia both served as OTC officials for over forty years. Another pinnacle achievement was traveling to Philadelphia on behalf of the Eugene community to secure the hosting of the Olympic Trials. He would often regale that event, remembering that someone in the committee meeting stood up and wondered aloud where Eugene, Oregon even was. Still, Bill flew home with the Trials bid secured, something that would become a tradition in Eugene.. Bill returned to Japan again as an athlete, competing as an invited Eugene representative in Eugene's sister city Kakegawa Marathon. He, along with Marcia, ran in multiple marathons including Boston and New York City into their 70's. For many years, Bill and his dog, Doby, were a fixture seen running throughout the trails and roads of Eugene before enjoying coffee with his group at the Fifth Street Market. As much joy as Bill received in running himself, he also loved his service as an official for both cross-country and track for South Eugene, the University of Oregon, and the state high school championships. A starter and split reader, Bill passionately loved serving other runners. Countless are the stories of mentorship and encouragement of other runners, even those he met casually on the trails in Eugene. Bill and Marcia helped sponsor track renovation programs at McKenzie and Amity High Schools. Tragedy hit the family in 1986, when Tom was killed in California while riding his bicycle to the school where he taught. Then, in 1992, Billy was also killed in an automobile accident going to the Oregon Coast. Today, the South Eugene track is named for the two sons Bill and Marcia lost. Bill received a master's degree in dentistry, the top degree at the time. He was well loved by patients who came from as far away as Alaska. He was a Paul Harris fellow in Rotary, and loved concerts at Beall Hall on the University of Oregon campus. Bill was an avid gardener and loved fishing and backpacking in the Wallowa Mountains with his sons and father-in-law, Ken Crawford. Bill was very proud that all four of his sons ran in college. Tom, Steve and Bill ran for the University of Oregon and Ken ran for Bill's University of Montana. Shortly before his passing, Bill and Marcia observed their 67th anniversary. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Marcia; his son Steven, Steven's wife, Marianne, and their children, William and Steven; his daughter-in-law, Nanci; and his son, Ken, Ken's wife, Ellen, and their children, Madison, Cam, and Matthew. The family is incredibly grateful to Jessica, Bill and Marcia's care provider, and the loving people at Churchill Estates. The list of loved family friends is far too extensive to include, as Bill had a fond love for others, and was loved by many.

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