William Bertram Dingle
Jan. 10, 1924 - June 22, 2012

William Bertram "Bert" Dingle, age 88 years, died June 22, 2012, at the Dayton General Hospital. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be 2 p.m. July 14, 2012, at the Dayton Eagles Lodge. Those who wish may contribute to Columbia County Volunteer Firefighters through Hubbard-Rogg Funeral Home 111 S. 2nd St. Dayton, WA 99328.

Bert was born Jan. 10, 1924, in Dayton. His parents were Bertram and Cleyts Gossett Dingle. He was a graduate of Dayton High School with the class of 1942, and he attended the University of Idaho. He was a track star in high school, where he still holds a record time in the hurdles and was invited to the Junior Olympics but could not compete because of a broken leg. He became a part of the family business "Dingles" of Dayton started in 1920, and he continued to operate the business until eight years ago when it was sold and he retired. He was a volunteer fireman for the City Fire Department for 38 years and served as assistant fire chief for some time. He was also a member of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and Dayton Kiwanis (outstanding president in 1956). He served as an EMT for the Columbia County Ambulance Service and was a reserve city police officer. Some of his enjoyments included ham radio, flying (private pilot license), bird watching and driving his Corvette.
Bert was easygoing and made many friends; he never knew a stranger. He married "Teddy" Earl, mother of their children in 1946; they were later divorced. He would marry again to Rosemary Carpenter. She died in 1999. On Nov. 6, 1999, he married Maria Barnes, and they made their home in Dayton.

He is survived by his wife at the home; one daughter, Davin Dingle; three sons, Steve Dingle, Chris Dingle and Mike Dingle; eight grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; a stepson, William Snook; and four step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; Ann Hertig and Pat Dalton; and a stepdaughter, Melissa Vetting.