William Howell

William "Bill" Leslie Howell, 80, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 in Coeur d 'Alene, Idaho. He was surrounded by loved ones, including his wife and constant companion of 56 years, Blanche Howell. Bill was born May 22, 1930, in Idaho Falls to Alton Rhae and Leora Patton Howell. He served as a machinist in the U.S. Navy and worked for Union Pacific Railroad and a gas company before moving to Island Park, Idaho. On Sept. 18, 1954, he married Blanche Alice Tilley at Slash-E Ranch @ Henry's Lake. Theirs was a love story for the ages. Bill loved to tell stories of how Blanche didn't care for him much but he wooed her just the same. They were inseparable. Aside from being a generous and loving man, Bill was a dreamer. Blanche followed Bill on his many endeavors and adventures, always supportive but equally as vocal in any opposition. There were many adventures. Bill was an entrepreneur and self-taught geologist who established Valley View on Henry's Lake Flats, which included a truck stop, grocery store, laundromat, and RV trailer park. During his long career in Island Park, he ran an ambulance service, an excavation company, snow plowing, tow truck, septic service and anything else the community required. After leaving Island Park, he operated several gold mines in Montana and Arizona and an auto repair shop in Idaho Falls. Bill enjoyed rock hunting, gold mining, fishing, vacationing with his children and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He never turned away a person in need and will be remembered fondly by everyone whose life he touched. As Bill would say "It's not goodbye, it's just so long." Bill is survived by his wife, Blanche; daughters, Melanie (Eric) Seneff, Roberta (Ed) Poole, Mary (Per) Flygare and Rebecca (Brian) Wray; son, William Tracy (Shelley) Howell; sisters, Florence Bottjen, Alice (Rex) Shurtliff and Carol (Jim) Lee; brothers, Robert Howell and Charles (Lorna) Howell; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Howell; and sister, Mary Hollibaugh. No funeral services will be held, at Bill's request. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to a charity close to the family- the Alzheimer's Association, or a Hospice of your choice.