Bill Paradee Jr., 62

William J. Paradee Jr., 62, of Coeur d'Alene, died Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at home after a courageous four-year battle with melanoma. Bill was born March 11, 1948, in Camden, N.J., to Helen and William J. Paradee Sr.

Bill attended Monmouth University in New Jersey and graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. Bill married Geraldine Jane Budd on Feb. 15, 1969, in Cherry Hill, N.J.

Before Bill and his family moved to Idaho in 1984, he worked at Murray-Paradee Funeral Home in Cherry Hill, N.J., with his father, Bill. He was a volunteer fireman and fire commissioner at Erlton Fire Company No. 1 in Cherry Hill, and was also a member of the Lions Club and Rotary.

Shortly after moving to Idaho, Bill began a 25-year career with the Yates Funeral Home in Coeur d'Alene and remained active until his passing. He was a member and past president of the North Idaho Funeral Directors Association and a member of the Lions Club. Bill also belonged to the Spokane Yacht Club and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He enjoyed boating, skiing, fishing and hunting.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Gerri; daughters, Jenni Robinson and husband, Ryan and Joanna Green and husband, Michael; a son, Will Paradee and wife, Brandy; five grandsons, Ben and Sam Robinson, Mason Green, and Landen and Rowen Paradee; a brother, Bob Paradee and wife, Chris; a nephew, Greg and niece, Amanda; and lifelong friends, Arnie and Barbara Wilkens. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Sr., and Helen.

The visitation will be Friday evening, Oct. 1, 2010, from 6-8 p.m. at the Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene. Burial will be at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens.

The family prefers memorials to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835 and/or the Melanoma Research Foundation, 170 Township Line Rd. Building "B," Hillsborough, NJ 08844.

Please visit Bill's online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.