William A. Doughty, 89
William A. Doughty, 89
William A. Doughty, 89, of Post Falls, slipped away peacefully while holding the hand of his wife on Oct. 2, 2015, at the Hospice House. He was born July 7, 1926, in Seattle, the only child of Vernon Vance Stephenson and Evelyn Rose Cunningham. When 6 months old, his parents divorced. His mother moved to Tacoma, later married and changed his name to William Aarol Doughty.
He attended schools in Tacoma. Enlisting in 1942, he wanted to become a Marine to become an Independent Duty Combat Corpsman. His desires were accomplished when he was sent to Taiwan, Saipan, Pelieu and Japan. After discharge in 1946, he returned to California to marry his sweetheart, Terri, in 1947.
He went to many colleges to acquire the necessary knowledge to become a Laboratory Technologist in 1956 and it was 4170 (CAMLT). During that time he also became a Registered X-ray Technician (AART) as well as obtaining a double degree of Science and Education. In 1963, he and his family moved to Coeur d’Alene. He was proud to become a Bioanalyst — AAB#5804. He became a Director of Laboratories through Medicare Region 8. He became a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Professional #77109) through ASCLS.
When Bill came to Idaho, he worked for a group of doctors while Terri worked at Coeur d’Alene Hospital in medical records. Two years later they decided to open the first Alpha Medical Laboratory. It was such a success they had 15 employees in four years. Grandparents of the 1950s and ’60s finally remember Bill who would take the time to talk to the children to calm their fears about “getting stuck.” He called it “one owie” and afterward rewarded them by placing small Band-Aids on the back of their thumbs and then drawing faces on the front of cowboys, Superman, dogs, cats, etc. and Cinderella, Thumbelina, dogs, cats, rabbits, etc. for the girls. Moms used to complain they couldn’t wash their kid’s hands for a week or longer. Bill loved those kids and when they came in again and asked for more thumb people they got them.
Bill and Terri were inseparable. They worked happily together at the lab; when they went home if the house was dirty Bill helped Terri clean it up. When the yard needed work, he had Terri mow the lawn while he planted or trimmed the bushes and trees. Hobbies were reading, hiking, fishing, hunting and beachcombing for agates in Oregon. They were always together and always holding hands.
When Bill and Terri lost their lab to another, they were heartbroken. They gave permission to carry on the Alpha name. In 1996, they moved away to Oregon. In 2006, Bill learned he had cancer. After two years of treatment, they had lost their life’s savings and their home in Montana. They went to the Boise VA for surgery in 2008 and then returned to this area in 2011. Bill continued to have health issues from then on. On July 31, 2015, he entered Kootenai Health for the last time. He was released to the Hospice House on Sept. 22, 2015, where he received the most loving and gentle care. He passed away in the sunlight toward the Heavens and God’s loving arms.
Translated his name meant:
Doughty - William - Aarol (Irish spelling)
Valiant or brave protector of love
…and that he was. He is survived by his wife, Terri, and his most loved animals. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene, is entrusted with the care of final arrangements.