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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., August 4, 1994, page 8

WILLIAM H. BRASHERS

William H. Brashers, a longtime resident of Lyle, died at a local care center on July 25, 1994; he was 86.
He was born March 3, 1908 in Ione, Ore., the second of four children to Mattie (Head) and Watt D. Brashers.
On May 21, 1929 he married Dorothy Murphy.
By the time of their marriage, the depression had just started. At first Mr. Brashers worked at anything he could find -- construction, truck driver, mechanic, fruit picker, logging and cutting wood. In February, 1931 he got a contract to team log at Pedee, Ore. After spending all of his cash buying teams and equipment, and moving, the mill went broke and he could collect nothing.
He borrowed $5 from his wife's mother and hitchhiked to White Salmon where he got a job driving truck for A.R. McNeil. Mac had two truck, some equipment and a lot of unpaid bills. For a while it was touch and go whether he would get paid, but as time wore on things got better.
Mr. Brashers eventually became a partner in the business and bought it when Mac died. From that start he bought the North Bank Truck Line, which he operated until the outbreak of WWII.
He sold the business and went into business with his brother Claude purchasing the J.H. McCoy ranch on High Prairie in January 1943. Later they bought another section of range and three quarter sections of farm land. In 1950 they received the conservation farmer of the year award.
The Brashers' retired in 1974 and moved to Lyle where Mr. Brashers had plenty of time to pursue his hobby of lapidary work -- the couple also enjoyed traveling.
He was a charter member of the Lyle Lions, Good Sam Club, and an over 50 year member of the Lyle Grange.
Mr. Brashers was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy and his son Tom. He is survived by his sons Don of Lyle, Delbert of Dallesport, and James D. of Lyle; and his brother Claude of Lyle. He had 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday July 30, at the Gardner Funeral Home.
The family suggests Memorial Contributions in Mr. Brashers' memory be given to either the Lyle Lions Club or the Lyle Fire Department.
The Gardner Funeral Home was in charge of all the arrangements.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., August 4, 1994, page 5

WILLIAM H. BRASHER

William H. Brashers, 86, a long-time Lyle resident, died at a local care center on July 25, 1994.
He was born March 3, 1908 at Ione, Ore., the second of four children to Watt D. and Mattie Head Brashers.
Bill married Dorothy Murphy at Goldendale May 21, 1929. She was the last of five children of Byron and Lillie Powell Murphy.
Bill and Dorothy were parents of four sons: twins, Walter Daniel and Delbert William, James Dale and Thomas Joe.
During the Depression Bill worked at a variety of jobs. He started out as a partner and eventually bought the North Bank Truck Line which he operated until WWII when he sold it and began farming.
In January 1943 he and his brother Claude joined in a partnership and bought J.H. McCoy Ranch at High Prairie. Later they bought another section of range and three-quarter sections of farm land. The planted alfalfa and terraces. They received the conservation farmer of the year award in 1952. Bill and Dorothy retired in 1974, and moved to Lyle where Bill have plenty of time to pursue his hobby of lapidary work. They also traveled all over the United States.
Survivors include three sons Don Brashers and James D. Brashers, both of Lyle, and Delbert Brasher of Dallesport; a brother, Claude S. Brashers of Lyle; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren also survive.
He was preceded in death by a son, Tom; and his wife, Dorothy.
Funeral services were held July 30 at Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon. Committal was at Lyle-Balch Cemetery in Lyle.
Contributions may be given to the Lyle Lyons Club or the Lyle Fire Department.