William H. “Bill” McCoy

The Oregon Association of Nurseries is saddened to report the passing of William H. “Bill” McCoy, owner of McCoy’s Nursery in Sandy, Oregon. He died July 8, 2019, at the age of 82, following a short battle with cancer.

The Oregon Association of Nurseries is saddened to report the passing of William H. “Bill” McCoy, owner of McCoy’s Nursery in Sandy, Oregon. He died July 8, 2019, at the age of 82, following a short battle with cancer.

The son of the late William Theodore “Pete” McCoy and Eulah Muriel McCoy, Bill was born in Sultan, Washington. His father started McCoy Nursery in Sandy, Oregon, and Bill later purchased it from his father. The 81-acre nursery operation specialized in field and container production of conifers. In November 1983, Bill sold his nursery to Don Marjama and stayed on to work until spring, brokering material.

As a member of the OAN Mt. Hood Chapter, Bill and fellow member Royce Belcher (T. H. Belcher Nursery Inc., Boring, Oregon) partnered together for the process of putting together the first Oregon Nurseries Wholesale Map.

Bill served as OAN president in 1984, at a booming time for the association. Under his leadership many initiatives were underfoot, including the development of the Oregon Nursery License Law, securing funding for the Gypsy moth spray program, and classifying nurseries as an agricultural commodity with the state Legislature. He encouraged growers to understand the importance of investing in the spring Yard, Garden & Patio Show as a way to nurturing a strong customer base and maintaining a strong future for the industry. The new marketing campaign, “Oregon … the Nursery State” began at this time.

At the 2000 OAN Convention, Bill was recognized as an OAN Honorary Life Member for his service to the industry. In his retirement, he became very active in disaster relief efforts by Mennonite Disaster Service and remained a faithful servant of his church. He settled in Manheim, Pennsylvania with his wife, Esther.

A memorial service will be held 3 p.m., Sunday, July 28, at the Lititz Mennonite Church, 165 Front Street, Lititz, Pennsylvania. An additional service will be held in Portland, Oregon at a date to be announced later at Portland Mennonite Church, 1312 SE 35th Street.