Carl William Hermanson

(as composed by himself)

The curtain descended on the last act of the life of Billy Hermanson at his home in Portland, Oregon on January 9th 2021. Billy was born in Sheridan, Wyoming on April 19, 1928 to Carl Albert Hermanson and Stephanie Emily Nickles. He was 92.

During his childhood, he spent all his summers at the family cabins in the Big Horns with friends and entertainers. Bill taught English and drama at Sheridan High School, and then managed the flood control project in Sheridan, after which, at age 32, he left Sheridan for Denver, where he worked for the state taxation department. Seeking new horizons, he then went to San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Belmont California. Bill worked for the federal civil service commission in San Francisco before teaching at Half Moon Bay High School, California, and later at Concordia University in Portland. Overall, he taught for 52 years.

Also known to his friends as Hermie, his first love was the Catholic church, as he demonstrated his devotion as an altar boy and later as a seminarian. Hermie attended Holy Name School and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1946. He received a BS degree from Regis College in Denver, and finished his graduate degree at Denver University. He also studied at San Francisco State University and Portland State University.

From childhood, Bill was in show business. The Sisters of Charity saw his potential, quick wit, and stage presence, putting them to use by casting him in solo monologues and theater presentations. Theater work continued through high school. At Regis College, Bill’s talents were engaged by a travelling group that entertained at local hospitals, Fitzsimmons Army Hospital and at Lowery Air Force Base. During the 1950s, he was accepted for the Bar Harbor Playhouse in Maine. Mr. Hermanson was associated as an actor; director; set, lighting, and costume designer in more than 75 high school college, community theater, as well as stage and television presentations. Locally, Mr. Hermanson produced Aurand Harris’s “The Flying Prince” for station KGHL-TV in Billings with a cast from Sheridan College and sponsorship by the Sheridan Community Theater.

During his life, Billy studied under several Pulitzer Prize winners in modern theater techniques, with Marc Connelly and Mary Chase of stage and motion pictures, and with Norris Houghton, author of the “Moscow Rehearsals” and owner of the Phoenix Theater in New York City.

After the theater and California teaching experiences, Billy did graduate study in sculpture at Portland State University. There, he was fortunate to have studied with the noted sculptor Frederic Littman.

Although he suffered in the last years with crippling arthritis, Bill thanks all the faithful friends, priests, and nuns who made his life enjoyable. In particular were the Holy Name Sisters, especially Sister Margaret Sullivan, as well as the care offered by his restaurateur and chef friend, Stephen Emerson Gravelle, who came to Portland to care for him during the last five years of his life. Billy enjoyed the gourmet cooking and compared it to dining out in the finest restaurants daily. This care also made it possible for Hermie to remain in his home in Portland.

Bill was predeceased by his parents and his beautiful sister Exbeta Jane Hermanson Zwick. He is survived by his niece Osa Lisa Zwick Munos and nephew Frederick N. Zwick.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Holy Name Catholic Church on Monday January 18, 2021 at 11 am with Father Prakash officiating. Burial will take place at Sheridan Municipal Cemetery immediately after the service. Champion Funeral Home has been entrusted with local arrangements. Online condolences may be made written at www.championfh.com.

Billy captured thoughts of life and of his friends and students who sometimes were discouraged that they might not measure up to the lives others enjoy in the world in the words of Thomas Gray,

Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear; Full many a flower is born to blush unseen And waste its sweetness on the desert air

“Being” in this cosmos is reward in itself by glorifying God and doing His will. You were chosen to be in this world and that is the honor of life, bestowed on all of us. Your gems and flowers are never wasted.

Bill wished to close with a remark from Catullus 101:

Atque in perpetuum frater ave atque vale

Or, in a modern translation, “I salute you…and goodbye.”