B.L. (Bill) Kuykendall Jr., 82

May 18, 1934 - Sept. 7, 2016

Son, Brother, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and Friend of Bill W.

Bill was born in Goldthwaite, Texas, in 1934 to B.L. Kuykendall Sr. and Della Pauline Tyson Kuykendall. He was the oldest of three boys, John Addison and Jerry Lynn. Dad learned to ranch at an early age, this is how he would later make a living. He was in the Army from 1952-1965, when he was discharged he was ranked as an E5. He once said he probably would have at least made E7 if he hadn’t kept getting drunk and losing his stripes. After Bill’s discharge he returned to Greeley, Colo.

In Greeley, he joined his first wife, Doris, and their son, Kelvin. While their relationship did not last, he was blessed to have a son. In early 1968, he met and started dating Velma. They would marry in Reno on Aug. 14, 1969. Bill took Velma and her three children Craig, Roxann and Tracy to California for a better life. Kelvin would come to live with them on Father’s Day of 1975. A busy life full of love. Bill and Velma were together until her passing on March 5 of this year, for a total of 48 years of love and marriage.

While in California, Bill worked as a hired hand for Rafter R Ranch 1968-1971. He then drove truck until he went back to Rafter R Ranch from 1978-1983. Here he worked for William (Bill) Ralph, where he became general manager of his many ranches raising cattle and was a dry land farmer. He went back to driving truck and then managed a motel in Santa Cruz until 1989. After this he managed a large apartment complex in Modesto from 1989-1991.

In May 1991, they made a big change and moved to Athol, Idaho, where they purchased 20 acres adjacent to Velma’s brother. In 2011, Mom and Dad decided they would move to Post Falls, Idaho. Though they were in their 70s, you would have never known that. Their new home had a simple yard, but they soon added more flowers and personalized touches.

Throughout the years Bill was an active member of alcoholics anonymous (AA). He celebrated 44 years of sobriety on Jan. 24, 2016. His first meeting was in Livermore, Calif., at the Crossroads Fellowship. His home group was the Big Book Recovery Group in Athol where he sponsored many and members became extended family.

After Mom passed in the spring, Dad’s tulips came up and blossomed, Dad often spoke of how she came to visit him and how he missed her so. While we will miss him, we take comfort in the fact that they are together.

Bill passed on Sept. 7, 2016, joining Velma, in heaven. Survived by: Craig Copeland and family, Athol; Roxann Burtis and family, Rathdrum; Kelvin Kuykendall and Family, Oregon; and Tracy Copeland and family, Athol. Along with these families came many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services for Bill will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Rockin B Ranch in Liberty Lake, Wash. Directions: I-90 Exit 299 head south, ranch is on the left. Potluck to follow services. If desired please bring a side dish or dessert.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to: Disabled Vets, Wounded Warriors, ABC Food Bank in Athol, a local group of friends of Bill W. or the AA World Service Office. Please feel free to wear jeans like the cowboy did. See pictures and full obituary at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.