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| June 15, 2018 1:00 AM

William E. Nousiainen Highly

William E. Nousiainen Highly passed away June 13, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. Bill was born July 17, 1929, to Leo and Bertha Nousiainen. He was the oldest of five sons.

He graduated from Trout Creek High School in Michigan in 1947. He served in the United States Air Force from 1947 to 1950. In 1953 he traveled from Trout Creek, Mich., to Orofino, Idaho, with Bruce McLaughlin, where he made his home and cut timber for Ponozzo Brothers. Over the years he was business partners with Zane Wilcox, Ben Lougee and Bill Deyo. Later, he started his own logging business which he operated for many years. He also operated a dairy and cattle ranch.

In 1955 he married Lula Beck. They had three children. They later divorced. In 1974, he married Helen Williams. They divorced in 2002. He met his long time partner, Audrey Grove, in 2006. He formed a close relationship with Audrey and her family.

Bill started each day playing cards with his friends Roy, Larry, Art, Bud, Bob and Butch. Over the years he raised draft horses for logging, pulling contests and parades. He also enjoyed falling trees and cutting firewood until diagnosed with cancer last year.

Bill is survived by son, Robert Highly of Troy, Idaho; daughter, Teresa Steadman; daughter, Diane (Joe) Hasenhorel of Culdesac, Idaho; daughter, Gail (Dean) Taylor of Vancouver, Wash.; daughter, Cherie (Tom) Shearer of Tualatin, Ore.; brother, Robert (Kathy) Nousiainen of Bruce Crossing, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Alberta Nousiainen and Barbara Nousiainen; Audrey Grove and her children, Dawna (Joe) Lenz and Rick (Kelly) Grove; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by son, Rick Highly; parents, Leo and Bertha Nousiainen; brothers, Lloyd Nousiainen, Ron Nousiainen and Gordon Nousiainen; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Nousiainen.

Services will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 18, 2018, at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery, 21702 W. Espanola Road, Medical Lake, WA 99022

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Bill’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.