William J. Bozlee Sr., 69

May 25, 1947 — March 21, 2016

Our Dad, Bill, was loved by everyone who knew him. He retired from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department 10 years ago. He spent 20 years at the Coeur d’Alene police as a Patrolman, Detective and a Sergeant. In addition he worked for the San Diego, Calif., Police Department, and the Chula Vista, Calif., Department. Dad served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the USS Midway.

His ways were always kind, and he truly possessed the Heart of a Servant! He helped us four kids go through life with the basics of Truth, Love and Integrity. No matter what we did or what mistakes we made; our Dad always loved us. He taught us so many things in this life … We will be forever grateful!

Daddy, Bill, met our mom in 1967 when he was 20 years old and she was a 27-year-old single mom with three daughters: Diana, 5, Melinda, 3, and Jennie, 1. He would baby-sit us at night when Mom worked the night shift at the hospital. Over time he fell in love with us three girls and our Mom. He proposed to mom and three years later our brother was born, Bill Jr.

We were a military family moving all the time. Dad retired and we settled in Chula Vista, Calif., in 1972 where we lived until 1985. We eventually moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1985 where our family settled for the last 30 years. Dad’s family is from Walla Walla, Wash. He always loved the Northwest, the ocean and lakes — anywhere he could sail on his boats. He always made sure family vacations were fun as family meant everything to our dad.

We Love You and Miss You so much Dad … There is not a day that goes by we don’t think of you and your words of Wisdom, Strength and Hope. Family still living that will … miss you EVERYDAY … Eldest daughter, Diana Kennedy-Estrada and husband Victor, daughter Jessica Thomas and her son, Antonino; Melinda Sue Kennedy Bozlee and daughter Katie Kennedy-Vowels and husband Stormy, and daughter Skyler; Jennifer Kennedy and husband, and sons Mitchell Kennedy and Johnny Tompkins; son Bill Bozlee Jr. and wife Sandy, two daughters Sarah Bozlee and Rachel Bozlee; ex-wife of 31 years, Nancy Spence Welch; brother Conrad Bozlee of Walla Walla and Salem, Ore.; and cousin Linn Hawley of Spokane, Wash. Parents passed on, father: Harold James Bozlee of Walla Walla and mother Elsie Marie Bozlee (Knudson) of Walla Walla. Many cousins from the Seattle, Wash., Boise, Idaho, Salem, and Buckeye, Ariz., areas.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Lake City Community Church, 6000 N. Ramsey Road, Coeur d’Alene.