William "Bill" Theiring

William "Bill" Laird Theiring, a beloved member of the Coos Bay community, passed away on July 18, 2024, at the age of 81. Born on June 13, 1943, Bill grew up in Coos Bay and graduated from Marshfield High School before continuing his education at Portland State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He also served in the Army National Guard.

Bill spent over 40 years as a self-employed residential contractor, leaving an indelible mark on the Coos Bay area. His craftsmanship and dedication to quality can be seen in the numerous homes and buildings he worked on, each reflecting his passion for his work and his unique artistic imagination. Bill loved to salvage building materials from old Coos Bay structures that were being torn down, and to give them new life in his creations.

A voracious reader, Bill was a lifelong patron of the Coos Bay Library. His reading interests ranged from Stephen King to Audubon Field Guides, but his primary passion was history. His extensive knowledge of the South Coast region's history made him a local authority and a cherished resource for historical insights. During his life, he made contributions in photos, artifacts, interviews and writings to books on Oregon surfing history, histories of the towns of Marshfield (Coos Bay) and Lakeside, and numerous contributions to local museums focusing on the histories of Coos Bay, South Coast logging, and the Coos Bay port.

Music played a significant role in Bill's life, with the stars of 1950s and ‘60s Rock ‘n’ Roll providing the soundtrack to his days. He attended many concerts over the years and passed that passion on to his children by providing them rare opportunities to see some of the greats live. Among his favorite artists was Bob Dylan, whose music always held a special place in Bill's heart.

Bill's interests were as varied as they were deep. He was an avid birdwatcher, a dog lover, and had a keen appreciation for art history, architecture, sports, and the outdoors. A pioneer in Oregon's surfing scene of the 1960s, Bill, alongside his brother Jim Theiring, owned and operated a surf shop in Seaside, Oregon. In the 1980s, he also embraced the emerging sport of triathlon, demonstrating his adventurous spirit and love for physical challenges. In those days, Bill could often be seen running or cycling the roadways around the bay or swimming laps at the Mingus or North Bend pools. Later he fell in love with kayaking, and could be found exploring the many lakes and rivers of the Coos Bay area or riding the swell off of Sunset Bay.

Bill was preceded in death by his daughter Lisa Theiring, parents Laird and Alice Theiring, and many friends. He is survived by his brother Jim Theiring and sister-in-law Linda, son Brad Hahn, son Jon Theiring and daughter-in-law Kendra, daughter Alice Turpen and son-in-law Dan, grandsons Gavin, Nick, Cade, Elijah, and Marley, and granddaughter Kiera. His family, friends, and community will deeply miss his warmth, wisdom, and unwavering spirit.

A private memorial service is planned. The family requests that donations be made in his name to the Coos History Museum or Coos Bay Library in honor of Bill’s lifelong love of books and local history, or to simply be in the moment. Bill especially loved moments when the bay was still, “like glass,” or watching birds endlessly ride the thermals.

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