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William
Marshall Driggins
Jan 26, 1918- Sept 26, 2005
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Local Co-Founder of Bird Rescue
“Fly's Away”
William
Marshal Driggins Born January 26,
1918 in
Corning New York was called home to be with the Lord on September 26,
2005 in
Portland, Oregon. He was 87.
William Marshall Driggins
son of Augustine and Mary Driggins of
Corning, New York is preceded in death by George Alfred, Elizabeth
Emily, Eleanor D., Augustine Thomas,
Olive Ester, Phillip Lee, John Lewis, Mary Matilda, Catherine Lavita, Townsend
Lawrence, and Sylvester Lawrence of New York. Having many members of his family who suffered
from diabetes, inspired him to seek an education in dietary needs. He
received his Bachelors degree in Dietetics at Tuskegee Institute,
Tuskegee, Alabama.
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He was a graduate student
of Dr. George W. Carver. He entered
Columbia University in 1941. His schooling was interrupted by WWII. He
served as one of the first Black commissioned officers 1st LT in
the U.S. Army Chemical Corps in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. After an Honorable discharge in 1945, William
continued his education and returned to Columbia University NYC, NY to
complete his Masters degree in Institutional Management. William was an
Assist. Professor at Morgan
State College, Baltimore, MD and Director of Commercial Dietetics at Tuskegee
Institute, Alabama. He moved to Iowa attended Iowa State University in Ames,
IA to pursue his doctorate degree. Family obligations
included an ill elderly father in law
and raising five children with his wife Trudy, which interrupted his
education and in full pursuit of his career challenged himself and
accepted positions as Chief Steward
of a Penal Institution in
Anamosa, Iowa. Director of
Food Service at Jackson State Prison, Jackson, Michigan., Food Administrator
at California State Hospital in Camarillo, California., and Chino Correctional
Youth Authority at Chino, California.
After the loss of his first wife Trudy,
William remarried an old acquaintance Ellen Torrance-Law and they enjoyed the
golden years of retirement in Portland, Oregon.
Over the last fifteen years
he was an active member of the Century Year Old Grand Knights for the Knights
of Columbus for. For 10 years of his tender. He had the Honor of holding the
position of Grand Knight of Chapter
687 of Portland. The president of the NW Bird Rescue & Adoption Orphanage
of Vancouver, Washington with his youngest son Christopher Driggins.
William is preceded in death by his wife
Ellen-Law, daughter Virginia Judith, and sons, William Anthony, and Butch Driggins, first wife Gertrude
Ferguson Driggins. Surviving children
include Darryl Michael Driggins-Henderson, NV, Ellevese Jodie Wilson,
Ames,
IA and Christopher James Driggins,
Vancouver, Washington, and five Grandchildren.
Two services are scheduled
to be held. The first service shall be on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 at 12:00
noon in the Holy Redeemer Church. 25
N. Portland Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97211 .The second service will be held
at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home, West Covina, California were he will be
interned with his first wife Gertrude Ferguson Driggins.
His wishes include that in lieu of
flowers, donations be made to his beloved Bird Rescue Organization. The
non-profit organization he worked so hard to help develop, which addresses a
great need in helping the birds he loved so much.
Birdman’s
N.W. Bird Rescue & Adoption Orphanage Inc.
1901 NE 162nd Ave Suite D-105 – PMB 301
Vancouver, WA 98684
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