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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., March 9, 2000, page 6

WILLIAM AUGUST (GUS) NIVA

William August (Gus) Niva, 31, of Centerville, died March 2, 2000 at his home after an extended illness.
He was born May 18, 1968 in Goldendale and graduated from Goldendale High School in 1986. During his school years at Centerville, he enjoyed basketball and in high school he enjoyed wrestling. Gus was involved in 4-H. and raised a grand champion hog. He joined the National Guard when he was a junior in high school where he accumulated eight years of active service with an additional three years of active service in the United States Army at Fort Hood, Texas. While at Fort Hood, Gus received a commendation from Major General Leedy for his excellent work in setting up the new inventory computer system.
After his honorable discharge, Gus worked as a car salesman for Stiff Chevrolet in Goldendale.
Gus loved music and played lead guitar in three bands in his musical career: "Niva," "The Simcoe Express," and "The Seventh Seal." Gus and his bands played for many fundraisers for other people in need and in the gorge area. Gus was an avid 4-wheeler, both in Goldendale and Sedona, Ariz. He was the past president of Klickitat County Search and Rescue team, where he donated hundreds of hours helping to locate people in difficulty. Gus enjoyed hunting with his uncle, Billy Young Jr., and his grandfather, BillyYoung Sr., and loved fishing for bass. Gus was a member of the Centerville Church of Christ since the age of 12.
Survivors include his mother and step-father, Darlene and Gary Dick of Tigard, Ore.; two sisters, Angela Niva of San Mateo, Calif. and Heather Niva of Hillsboro, Ore.; his step-grandmother, Tillie Dick of Tigard, Ore.; his father and step-mother, Marc and Phyllis Niva of Goldendale; his long-time companion, Lori Farrell of Centerville; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held March 6 in the Chapel of Erdman Funeral Home. Private inurnment was in the Centerville Cemetery. Donations can be made in Gus' name to Hospice of the Gorge, Hood River, Ore., the Mayo Clinic Cancer Research Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. or to the National Cancer Society.