William L. Potter “Bill” of Cottage Grove died July 30, 2019 at the age of 86. He was born July 18, 1933 in Cottage Grove to parents George Raymond “Ray” and Lillian Cathrin (Krishner) Potter. Bill graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1951. He joined the Army and became a Corporal in the Korean War as a field illumination (search light) crewman. Bill married Mary Ellen Dickinson August 20, 1955 in Reno, NV. They were married for 59 years. He retired in 1997 after working 40 years for Weyerhaeuser. Bill enjoyed fishing, gambling, traveling, and loved visiting with family and friends. He was proud to be from a family of Oregon pioneers that settled in Oakland, OR in 1858. He was a member of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) post 3473 of Cottage Grove, OR. Bill is survived by daughter Sandra (Dale) Ireland, Ketchikan, AK; daughter Deborah (Michael) Schueller of Cottage Grove, OR; daughter Marie (Ted) Piatkiewz of Fairfield, CA; brother George Raymond “Ray Jr.” Potter of Gardiner, OR; grandson Gregory (Sarah) Ireland of Springfield, OR; granddaughter Jennifer Ireland (Mikey McLavey)  of Ketchikan, AK; granddaughter Heidi (Tanner) Walston of Cottage Grove, OR; granddaughter Lacey (Josh) Messenger of Fayetteville, PA; granddaughter Danielle Piatkiewicz of Prague; grandson Trevor Piatkiewcz of Copenhagen, Denmark; great grandchildren Dexter Percial, Aizen McLavey. Lorelei Messenger, Junette Hornilla-Piatkiewicz and Joshua Messenger. A Funeral will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 2, 2019 at Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel, 123 S. 7^thSt., Cottage Grove, OR.  Interment at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, Springfield, OR.  Reception following the interment will be held at 1:00 PM at the VFW, 3160 Hillside Dr., Cottage Grove.  Arrangements in the care of Smith Lund Mills Funeral Chapel.