William "Bill" Karcher III

William Albert Karcher III, “Bill,” age 84 passed away peacefully in Eugene, OR on September 26th. Bill was born on August 5th 1940 in Roseburg to Bud and Kathryn Karcher. The family moved from Sutherlin to Reedsport in 1954 where Bill graduated from Reedsport high school in 1958. Bill went on to Pacific University in Forest Grove where he graduated with a degree in science.

A lifelong educator and Football and Wrestling coach, Bill taught Forestry and Marine Biology for 33 years in the Reedsport community. For many summers, Bill and family operated the Salmon Harbor Bait dock where they sold locally caught fresh herring to the salmon fleet. With the decline of the local salmon fishery, Bill acquired the Sportsman's Cannery in Winchester Bay which he and family ran until 2008. Bill developed a following of locals and tourists who came to the Cannery for their bar-b-que salmon and seafood dinners. In his later years, Bill discovered a talent for ceramic pottery and wood carving and pieces of his art can be found in many Reedsport homes and businesses. Bill & his wife Mikayle owned the Orca Gallery and the Coastal Ceramics pottery studio.

Bill is survived by his wife Mikayle and her children Ashlee Palmer, Laynie Wilson and Myndee Herr, and his former wife Ann Reichert and their children Brian Karcher, Kelli Burks and Bill Karcher, 13 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  

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