Oral history interview with William V. Deatherage
Scope and Contents
This oral history interview with William V. Deatherage was conducted by Donald W. Brodie in Deatherage’s office in Medford, Oregon, on February 24, 2003. In this interview, Deatherage discusses his service in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1948, particularly regarding the USS New Jersey. He then talks about his law professors at the University of Oregon. He discusses deciding to practice law with Otto Frohnmayer in Medford and gives a brief history of the law firm that was later known as Frohnmayer, Deatherage, Jamieson, Moore, Armosino and McGovern. He discusses some of the cases he tried over his career, including a first-degree murder case; judges he argued before; and his campaign for the Medford School Board. He also talks about his involvement in the Oregon State Bar and other legal organizations. He discusses the changes in the legal profession over the 20th century, including the increase in arbitration in lieu of trial. He also talks about government funding problems at the time of the interview and their effect on Medford. Deatherage and Brodie reminisce about the law school at the University of Oregon. Deatherage closes the interview by discussing his love of golf and gardening.
Dates
- 2003 February 24
Creator
- Deatherage, William V. (William Vernon), 1927-2018 (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright for this interview held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Educational Use Permitted: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Biographical note
William "Bill" Vernon Deatherage was born in Drumright, Oklahoma, in 1927. His family moved to Bend, Oregon, in 1943. In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for three years. After his discharge, he attended the University of Oregon, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1952 and a law degree in 1954. While at the University of Oregon, he met Priscilla Ann Campbell. They married in 1954 and later had two children. He practiced law in Medford, Oregon, with Otto Frohnmayer. Their law firm came to be known as Frohnmayer, Deatherage, Jamieson, Moore, Armosino and McGovern. Deatherage died in 2018.
Extent
.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (1 hr., 15 min., 12 sec.) + transcript (40 pages))
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Oral history interview with William V. Deatherage by Donald W. Brodie on February 24, 2003, as part of the United States District Court Oral History Project. Deatherage was an attorney in Medford, Oregon.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society, January 2005 (Lib. Acc. 25578).
Existence and Location of Copies
General
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Creator
- Deatherage, William V. (William Vernon), 1927-2018 (Interviewee, Person)
- Brodie, Donald W. (Interviewer, Person)
- Title
- Guide to oral history interview with William V. Deatherage
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah Stroman
- Date
- 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org