William Darwin Huffman

William "Bill" Huffman died peacefully on September 18, 2016, at his home in Wenatchee, WA, following extended illnesses associated with a kidney tumor and COPD. Bill was born the youngest of seven siblings in Fruita, CO, on June 29, 1925, to Ross and Della Huffman. He attended school in a one-room school in Glade Park, CO. Because he was the largest student in the school, he was asked to be Santa for the other students, when he was in the sixth grade. The "ho, ho, ho" became part of his personality for the rest of his life. At the age of 15, he moved with his mom and dad to Culp Creek, OR, to join other family members who had settled there. Bill and his mom did all of the driving and car repairs since his dad's temperament was not suited for either task. He was then enrolled at Cottage Grove High School. Bill began working in the local saw mills and as a logger until the advent of World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, October of 1943, and did his basic training in Farragut, ID. He was then assigned to a Sub Chaser, the SC 733, in the Pacific Theater of operations. His ship (boat) was part of the "Splinter Fleet" since it was made of wood that would not trigger mines which had been placed by the enemy. Bill had a lot of stories about his days of service. He was discharged in May 1946 and returned to Oregon to be with family and return to work as a logger. Bill was very much part of the social life around Cottage Grove and it was here that he met Jeanne Brown at a Grange Hall dance. She mistook his confidence and post-war cockiness as arrogance, but found she was mistaken. He married Beverly Jeanne Brown, Oct 6, 1946, in Cottage Grove, OR. Their son, Jim, was born in June the following year. Following a strike at the local sawmill, the family moved to Gold Beach, OR, in 1954, to find work. With another family, they established a tent residence on the Rogue River, which worked fine until a family of bear moved in next door. The next move was to town. The timber industry proved not be steady employment, so the family moved to Seattle, WA, in 1955. Bill had various jobs in Seattle, but the call to live in a smaller town brought him and Jeanne to Wenatchee, WA, in 1958, where he fell in love with the people and the town. Bill was the manager of Cherry Street Manor for several years. Dam construction and the new Alcoa plant brought a number of young families to the area, many of whom first landed in one of his apartments. Bill became active in a number of community organizations including the Wenatchee Central Lions Club and the Masonic Lodge. After retiring from his work as the manager of Cherry Street Manor, Bill started his own home remodeling and repair business. Being a man dedicated to many community interests, Bill joined the Wenatchee Police Reserves, where he became a Sergeant. With his smile and good nature, Bill was a master at diffusing otherwise tense or dangerous situations. After finishing his work with the Reserves, Bill and Jeanne headed up the local Block Watch program. He also served as the Chief Civil Service Examiner for the City of Wenatchee for a number of years. Bill spent much of his retirement years pursuing various interests and late in his life took up oil painting as a self-taught disciple of Bob Ross. Bill's artist niece, Lou Wall, described him as a "painting dervish stoked by blue grass music." Bill is survived by his son, Jim Huffman, and his wife, Christine of East Wenatchee, WA; granddaughter, Angie Zimmerman, her husband, Todd and great- granddaughter, Andrea, also of East Wenatchee, WA; as well as Christine's son, Travis Johnson of Seattle, WA. Bill is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews and their families. Bill was preceded in death by infant brother, Joe Huffman; brother, Carmon Huffman; sisters: Mayme Hancock, Maxine Van Loan, Vera Blasdell, Billee Hiatt; wife, Jeanne Huffman; granddaughter, Mandy Huffman; and daughter-in-law, Rita. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at Pybus Market. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Endowment Fund of Victim Support Services, 5023 Claremont Way, Everett, WA, 98203. Services are being assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.

William Darwin Huffman

June 29, 1925 - September 18, 2016