Bill Stamps, 74

William Edward “Bill” Stamps took his last breath at noon on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 surrounded by his wife Muriel, children Kurt and Amy, best friends Mike and Ed Hatter, and his pastor Craig Sumey. He said he was ready to meet the Lord, and had, in fact, reassured everyone of his love, including his son-in-law Curtis Hayes, and his grandchildren Kailie Stamps, Alex True, Mason Frew as well as Kurt’s fiancé, Tina and their baby to be. He left confident that he too was loved by his family, friends, and by the Lord. It had been 3 ½ years since Bill’s heart had been augmented by an LVAD, which is essentially an external pump controlled by batteries. They were difficult years of poor health but he was not the type to complain. He was known instead for his consistent good wit, well told stories, and laughter. He was a man of integrity and kindness, one who was always forthright. But, in these last years he became even more thoughtful, patient, understanding, appreciative and loving. We are thankful for the support and loving prayers of his friends and family, excellent medical care and to God for those last precious years. Born to Ruby and Henry Stamps on August 25, 1939 in Bates, Arkansas, Bill grew up in Martinez, California. He and Muriel went to Jr. High and High School together. Muriel already had a crush on him at age 13, just before he was completely buried by a massive shale rock slide while fishing in the mountains. Severe injuries kept him out of school for a year. Doctors at that time wanted to remove his crushed leg, which Bill refused to allow. Courage, hard work and determination helped him heal without even a limp. When he showed interest in Muriel in Junior College, Muriel was already in love with him because he so loved life (as well as for his good looks). In 1961, when she finished college, they were married. Bill finished college two years later in 1966, graduating from California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo with a major in Agricultural Business. From the time he was young, Bill had always had a job. He began by being his father’s helper on their little farm and his mother’s helper in the kitchen. He swept floors in a doughnut shop in the wee hours, sold men’s clothing at a local haberdashery, worked at a cannery, a refinery, and the peach orchards in the California Valley. But his first professional job was, to his mind, “heaven sent”. He was hired by Del Monte Corporation as a field representative and sent to Idaho Falls. There he could hunt all manner of game and fowl, and fly fish practically by stepping out the door (at that time). Their little family, which now included Kurt, who was one, moved to snow country without a second thought. Two years later Amy joined the family. In 1970 Bill accepted a position as a regional agricultural chemicals sales representative with Ciba Geigy and the family moved to Post Falls, still a sportsman’s heaven. Thirteen years later they became residents of Hayden Lake and Bill became an investment counselor with Morgan Stanley, in order to be home more with his family. It was 2003 that he began having heart problems and he retired. Bill was an avid reader, interested mostly in the development of the West. Not much of a joiner, Bill found his greatest pleasure being part of the great outdoors, although he did enjoy his time of congeniality with the “Lunch Bunch” on Tuesdays, Sunday morning at church, and time spent in discussion with his Christ Care Group. He volunteered as a hunter safety instructor and on the Idaho Wildlife Federation Board when his work no longer involved travel. He loved best time spent with his family and friends. If that could be a fishing trip with them, then that was even better. Those trips (most often thinly veiled as a family vacation), were always full of adventure and fun. Bill loved life, the beauty of his world and the people in it. He was content and said many times that he had had a great life. The memorial service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 30, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church in Coeur d’Alene with Yates Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. The family prefers memorials to the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation, P.O. Box 2254, Boise, ID 83701 or the First Presbyterian Church, 521 Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. You may visit Bill’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com