Ralph William Boyden III

Long time resident of The Dalles, Ralph William “Bill” Boyden III, 65, passed away in his home on June 22, 2026, after battling cancer.

He was born in Seattle on February 17, 1961, and shortly after his family moved to White Salmon, WA, where he grew up participating in boy scouts, playing baseball and basketball, and developing a love for rock music and playing the guitar. He graduated from high school as a Columbia Bruin. He went on to study at Washington State University for 2 years before he married Shelley (Fink) of White Salmon in August of 1984. They moved to Vancouver, WA, where Bill worked as a recording engineer at Recording Associates in Portland. He went on to complete a computer programming certificate through the Computer Career Institute in 1987. There he won multiple awards and secured a job prior to graduation with R&R Sy-Tec in The Dalles, which began his 40 year career in computer programming and IT. After 10+ years with R&R Sy-Tec, he spent 20+ years between Goldendale Aluminum and Northwest Aluminum Specialties, during which he started his own small business, eggKrate Custom Computing, of 15+ years, and concluded his career with 10+ years at NORCOR, from which he retired in April 2026.

Bill was an active member of his community: attending church, playing music on worship teams, volunteering with AYSO soccer, coaching little league baseball, volunteering with TCBS, and helping friends with computer questions. He enjoyed many activities: playing guitar, golfing, camping, huckleberry picking, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends. He and Shelley were avid attendees of their children’s and grandchildren’s sporting activities, and he loved spending summers swimming in his above ground pool with his children and grandchildren.

Bill leaves behind his wife, Shelley, in The Dalles; his 3 children: Angelica (Kevin) Chambers in McMinnville, OR, Marten Boyden in Leander, TX, and Emily (Remy) Wills, in The Dalles; his 8 grandchildren: Whimsy Bliss Boyden, Glory Jane Boyden, Oren Micah Boyden, Olive Susan Wills, Hannie Grace Wills, Pippa Rosemary Wills, Tate Wilson Chambers and Lane Belami Chambers; as well as his sisters: Elaine (Colin) and Jennifer, and numerous nieces and nephews between him and Shelley.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Louise Boyden, in 1999 and his father, Ralph William Boyden Jr. D.D.S., in 2012.

A memorial service is planned for 11 AM on Friday, July 24, 2026, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in The Dalles, with a celebration of life to follow for family and close friends.

In loving memory of Bill. Father. Husband. Friend.