William S. Gonser, 93

William S. Gonser, also known as 'Bill' or 'Willie,' 93, passed July 26, 2014.

Bill was born June 2, 1921, in a farmhouse in Rathdrum, Idaho, to John Gonser and Mary Kistner Gonser. Bill graduated from Rathdrum High School in 1940 in a class of 21 students where he was called "Willie." After high school, he moved to Dalton Gardens with his parents and attended North Idaho Junior College where he excelled in basketball; many came to watch Willie play.

During World War II, Willie joined the Navy and became a Seabee. He served in Normandy and was awarded the Bronze Star. After being discharged from the military, he returned to Dalton Gardens and took flight lessons at Weeks Field in Coeur d'Alene, where he completed his first solo flight in 1950. Bill enjoyed flying and was very proud of his pilot's license. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge in Coeur d'Alene.

Bill married Donna Hogeweide and they had four boys: John, Doug, Paul and Terry. They divorced early on, and Bill raised the boys while working full time as a logger, construction worker and underground miner at Bunker Hill ... not in that order or all at the same time! During that time Bill also raised beef and pork, milked cows, gardened, canned food, sold milk and raspberries, and, in his spare time, built two houses on his own!

Bill worked at area lumber mills, and retired from his last job at Vaagen Lumber in Colville, Wash., in 1983. He then built another house! Bill moved to Careywood, Idaho, in 1984 to his little cabin in the woods to "get away from it all." There, he met his special friend, Janet Benoit, and other neighbors who were special to him. He was rarely idle, and he was happiest helping someone else. Bill lived in Careywood for 30 years without a telephone. One of his greatest passions was playing Pinochle, and he played with his friends in Careywood. Some say he cheated, but he would never admit it!

Bill loved family - especially his grandkids and great grandkids. He spent his last days in the wonderful home of Bella Angel Resident Care with caregivers Dirk, Kim, Karli, Star, and his special "furry" friends Bubba, Mac, and Rita.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary; brother, Henry Gonser; sisters, Nora Roberts, Rose Koehler, and Laura Gonser; and daughter-in-law, Ginni (John) Gonser. He is survived by sons John, Doug (Karen), Paul (Gayle), and Terry (Becky); grandchildren Kelly, Casey, Kaycie, Kelli, Eric, John, Jessie, Kim, Aimee, Stephanie, Amanda, and Stephanie; and great-grandchildren Brice, Aubrey, Burke, Bridger, Abbi, Alex, Lance, Alex, Xander, Cierra, Kaden, Drew, Chase, and Jordan.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, with burial to follow at Pinegrove Cemetery in Rathdrum, Idaho. The family prefers memorials to Auburn Crest Hospice, 1596 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls, Idaho 83854 for the amazing care given by the doctors, nurses and staff. Please sign Bill's guest registry and view his online memorial at: www.englishfuneralchapel.com.