Long time Harney County resident William “Bill” Nicholas Allen passed away on Sept. 27, 2022 at the age of 92 after a short illness in Hayden, Idaho.

Bill was born March 18, 1930 in Redland, Alberta, Canada to American parents. In 1940 his family moved outside of Vale, and in 1942 the family moved to Burns, where Bill lived most of his life.  

He graduated from Burns High School in 1948 and immediately joined the US Air Force, where he earned the rank of Major during his 22 year military career. It was during this time he met and married his wife, Ulaberl. 

During his military career, Bill was most proud of his contributions to research for the early space program. Bill was a test subject who rode the sleds that helped evaluate the human response and limitations of high velocity movements during rocket lift off and landing that were unknown at the time. He also worked with the chimpanzees that were associated with the early space program. Bill chose this photo of himself getting ready to ride one of those high velocity sleds, hooked up to physiologic monitors.  In this case, the ride was to be diagonal, in case of a poor landing, they wanted to know how the shearing forces could affect the human body. 

Bill had additional roles during his military career, including radar operator, building early computers, being the military attaché to Chiang Kai-shek and wrapped up working as a team member of the Inspector General. Bill was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Secretary of the Air Force.

After his honorable discharge, Bill and his family returned to Burns in 1970. He soon became the local State Farm Agent and he was the kind of agent everyone wanted to have, super efficient and always available. He gave his time and money to the community through generous gifts to individuals and organizations in need, including the donation of the downtown Arrowhead lot to the community; many volunteer hours through memberships with the Lions Club and Elks Lodge, and earlier on with the Catholic Church.  

He was very proud of coming up with the idea for the yard sales that continue to help support the local American Legion. One of his greatest honors was receiving the Man of the Year Award for Harney County, being recognized for his service and accomplishments for the community. During his acceptance speech, he tearfully explained how he was most proud of his role as the Harney County Veterans Service Officer for 25 years, giving him the opportunity to serve the veterans of Harney County that he was so dedicated to.  

Bill lived in Burns until 2021, when he moved to Post Falls to be closer to family.  

Bill was born the second of eight children to Loren Henry and Emma Margaret (Zurn) Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ulaberl Mae (Palmer) Allen; his brothers, Otis, Thomas, and James; and sisters, Edith Lawrence and Lorna Spain. He is survived by his brother, and sister, N. Shirley Demackowitz; children, Paul, David, Gary and wife Marni; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill will dearly be remembered for his positive attitude, friendly demeanor, as a good man and as a good father.

At Bill’s request, no services will be held. If you would like to make a donation in honor of Bill’s memory, please make it to:

Burns Arrowhead Plaza Park Fund 

Harney County Opportunity Team

C/o Harney County Chamber of Commerce

484 N Broadway Ave

Burns, OR 97720