The Lower Columbia College (LCC) community and the broader Oregon business world are mourning the loss of Bill Stoller, who died peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 2025, at 74.
The celebrated LCC Athletic Hall of Famer and entrepreneur, Bill Stoller, is survived by his wife, LaRue Stoller, born LaRue Allee Switzer, and his five children.
Unfortunately, little to no information about LaRue and their five kids is available. They remain away from the limelight, unlike Stoller.
A former LCC athlete and prominent entrepreneur, Bill Stoller’s journey began in Longview, Washington, where he attended Lower Columbia College in the late 1960s.
As a key member of the 1970 LCC men’s basketball team, Stoller helped lead the Red Devils to an impressive 21-8 record and a second-place finish at the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Tournament.
The following year, he contributed to the 1971 team’s 19-10 season, which finished sixth at the NWAC Tournament.
Stoller’s contributions on the court were recognized in 2017 when he was inducted into the LCC Athletic Hall of Fame, cementing his place in the college’s athletic history.
After attending LCC Stoller, he continued his basketball career at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Playing for the Boxers, he helped lead the team to a Northwest Conference Championship in 1973.
Eventually, Stoller entered the business world, becoming one of Oregon’s most successful entrepreneurs.
In 1983, he co-founded Express Employment Professionals, a staffing agency that grew into a global leader in the industry.
As president and vice chairman, Stoller helped grow Express into a powerhouse, with 725 franchises across three countries by 2014.
That year, the company facilitated jobs for over 456,000 people and generated $2.85 billion in sales.
Stoller also served as president of The Stoller Group, which owns 23 Express offices across Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and California.
A decade later, in 1993, Stoller turned his attention to Oregon’s burgeoning wine industry, founding The Stoller Wine Group.
What began as a passion project transformed into one of the state’s most respected wineries.
Stoller Family Estate is a vineyard and winery spanning nearly 400 acres in the heart of the Willamette Valley’s Dundee Hills. Known for its top-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the estate focuses on making excellent wine while caring for the environment.
Likewise, Stoller also owned Xenium, a professional employer organization.
Meanwhile, details surrounding his funeral arrangements has yet to be published.
During this difficult time, we offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, LaRue, his kids, and his extended family.
Rest In Peace, Bill Stoller!
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