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Oral history interview with William V. Deatherage, 2003 February 24
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Deatherage, William V. (William Vernon), 1927-2018
- Title
- Oral history interview with William V. Deatherage
- Dates
- 2003 February 242003-02-242003-02-24
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (1 audiocassette (1 hr., 15 min., 12 sec.) + transcript (40 pages))
- Collection Number
- SR 11005
- Summary
- 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.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- 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.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
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.
Other Descriptive InformationReturn to Top
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
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.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with William V. Deatherage, by Donald W. Brodie, SR 11005, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on 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/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Cassette | ||
1 | Oral history interview with William V. Deatherage | 2003 February 24 |
Folder | ||
SR11005 | Transcript of oral history interview with William V. Deatherage | 2003 February 24 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Justice, Administration of--Oregon
- Law schools--Oregon
- Lawyers--Oregon--Medford
Personal Names
- Deatherage, William V. (William Vernon), 1927-2018
Corporate Names
- New Jersey (Battleship : BB-62)
- University of Oregon. School of Law
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Brodie, Donald W. (interviewer)