Dickas, William David “Bill”

William David “Bill” Dickas, died in Portland, Oregon, on August 14, 2021, at the age of 79, during emergency surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Bill was born on November 26, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio, the second child of Ralph and Frances Blair Dickas. Bill attended schools in Columbus, graduating from St. Charles High School in 1959. After high school, Bill entered the seminary at St. Charles, and later studied at the Canisianum in Innsbruck, Austria, where he was ordained in 1967. After ordination, Bill returned to Columbus where he served as a diocesan priest for the Diocese of Columbus until 1975. During this time, Bill also attended and obtained his law degree at The Ohio State University. After leaving the priesthood, Bill settled in Portland, Oregon, where he practiced law

with the law firm of Kell,

Alterman, & Runstein,

first as an associate and

then as a partner, until his retirement. His colleagues remember him as a brilliant attorney who was always willing to share ideas with them. Colleagues, neighbors, family and friends fondly recall Bill’s keen intellect, wit, kindness, and generous spirit. Bill’s sons and granddaughter remember him as a supportive, caring and endlessly patient father and grandfather. And everyone who ever met Bill will remember his calm presence and genuine interest in others. Bill is survived by his longtime companion, Beth Skillern; as well as his former wife, Alice, and their three sons, John (Carol Guthrie), Paris, France, and James and Mark, Washington DC; and by his granddaughter,

Elena. Bill was preceded in death by Mark’s wife and

Elena’s mother, Lara Kinne. He is also survived by his three siblings, Richard (Janet), Jacksonville, Florida, Mary (Andrew Baum), New York, NY, and Robert (Dolly Cozart), Nelsonville, Ohio; and by their children and grandchildren. A memorial service followed by a celebration of Bill’s life is planned for Friday, September 3, in Portland, Oregon. Adult attendees are requested to be vaccinated, and anyone interested in a livestream of the service may contact the family. In

lieu of flowers, and in recognition of Bill’s love of books and his love of reading to Elena and other young friends, the family suggests any remembrances be sent to The SMART program of Portland (https://smartreading.org).