William Joseph Osborn

William Joseph Osborn November 29, 1924 ~ November 11, 2013 William Joseph Osborn passed away peacefully in Wenatchee on Veterans Day, November 11, 2013, after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. William was born on November 29, 1924 in Spokane, WA. He grew up on the family farm near Hartline, enjoyed athletics, and learned wheat farming from his father and grandfather. He graduated from Hartline High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He entered into active duty in 1943 and, along with his brother, served aboard the USS Howard W. Gilmore as a fire control man from 1944 - 1946. Both Robert and his brother moved to Sacramento, CA to be near their mother after their service in WWII. William played professional baseball after the service, including the 1947 season with the Wenatchee Chiefs. It is while playing baseball that he met his future wife, Marylyle Cunningham, the 1950 Apple Blossom Queen. They were wed in 1952 and moved to Hartline to farm and raise their four children. In 1980, William was ordained a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church for the Diocese of Yakima, the same year the family moved to Cashmere. He served as deacon at Saint Francis Xavier in Cashmere until 1992 and at Saint Joseph in Wenatchee, from 1993 until his death. As a younger man, William enjoying bowling and was a certified instructor. Later, his passion turned to golf and he was often on the course before the first pot of coffee in the clubhouse finished brewing. But his greatest pleasure came from serving youth; as little league and American Legion baseball coach, peewee basketball coach, 4-H State Board Member, church youth group leader, track timer and juvenile detention counselor. William always had time for a young person down on his or her luck and needing someone to talk to. His acts of service in multiple capacities led to him being named Citizen of the Year for Cashmere in 1986. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Kevin (Darrylin) of Kennewick, Shawn (Tammie) of Wenatchee, Erin of Cashmere, and Tim (Jackie) of Bellevue; and his grandchildren, Hillary, Ashley and Lexie. William was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Olen Osborn; his mother, Etta May Osborn; his wife, Marylyle Osborn; his twin brother, Robert Osborn; his half-brother, Donald Osborn; and two twin daughters, Joan and Mary Osborn. The family wishes to thank the staff at RiverWest Assisted Living and Central Washington Hospital Hospice Services, as well as the numerous visitors that made dad's final weeks memorable. A Vigil will be held for William at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee. A Funeral Mass will occur at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013, also at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. A Graveside Inurnment Service will be held Saturday December 7, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hartline Cemetery. In honor of William's life, the family suggests memorials to St. Joseph's Kuykendall Hall, or a charity of your choice. Please visit the online guest book to share your thoughts and memories with William's family: www.telfordschapel.com. Services are under the care of Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

William Joseph Osborn

November 29, 1924 - November 11, 2013