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John William Norris

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” and we find comfort in the fact that our dad is now in His presence, free from all suffering and the bounds of this earth.

John William Norris (“Billy” or “Bill”) was born to Guy McKinley Norris and Zelma E. (Spurgeon) Norris on Sept. 29, 1925, in Colfax (Whitman County), Wash. He left us on Oct. 15, 2018.

Bill grew up in Thornton, Wash., beginning grade school at Valley Grove in 1931. He continued his education in Rosalia, Wash., where he graduated from Rosalia High School in 1943. Bill finished his studies early in order to help the farmers who were short-handed in their fields due to the onset of World War II. In high school Bill excelled at sports, playing football (guard), basketball (forward) and his greatest love — baseball, where he played catcher for the Rosalia High School team. He remained in close contact with many of his classmates throughout his long life and was one of the four remaining.

Soon after Bill graduated, he enlisted in the service and joined the Army Air Corps. He served as a tail gunner on a B24 Liberator in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the 13th Air Force, 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 72nd Bombardment Squadron, flying missions in the China Offensive, New Guinea, Southern Philippines, Luzon and Western Pacific. He flew these missions aboard the B24, which included a 10-man crew with whom he also remained in contact throughout their lives. Bill was the final living crew member.

Bill attained the rank of sergeant as an aerial gunner, with a marksmanship in carbine and pistol. He achieved the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and The Victory Medal.

After returning home from the war in 1945, he moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho, where his parents owned a ranch in Paradise Valley. Bonners Ferry is where he had previously met the love of his life, Beverly Arlamae Peterson, giving him one more reason to make Bonners his home. Bill and Bev were married on Dec. 23, 1950 in Bonners Ferry, among family and friends.

During his time in Bonners Ferry, Bill was able to continue his desire to fly and he become a pilot. He learned to fly at Bonners Ferry Airport, receiving his private pilot license. Not long after, he achieved his commercial pilot’s license at Felts Field in Spokane, Wash. His love of flying took him to Dayton, Wash., where he worked as a crop duster for eight years until he had to quit due to parathion poisoning from the sprays being used at that time.

Bill and Bev, now with a family of four kids, moved to Dalton Gardens, Idaho, in 1960, where he then worked as a heavy equipment operator, working road construction as a cat skinner (dozer operator) and also operating a scraper and a Yuke.

They raised their kids in a loving and protective home in Dalton Gardens with the highest regard for family. He instilled in his children a love for God, always putting Him first in continual, quiet servitude. Bill demonstrated an obligatory sense of community service and a necessary respect and dedication to our great nation. He taught his kids to walk circumspectly through this life and to walk in dignity and respect. He proved others before self, and kindness before laughter. He kept short accounts — always quick to say, “I am sorry,” and never too proud to admit if he was wrong. He deferred knowledge at the expense of another’s feelings, yet always, always standing for that which is right and true. He walked in compassion and grace; he walked with fortitude and tears. He lived prayer before action, but never one without the other, and always first and foremost — Jesus.

Dad loved and respected life and lived it to the fullest. He enjoyed a lifetime of flying, golfing (even building his own putting green at their home in Dalton Gardens), hunting big game and fowl, and of course — fishing. Whether it was fly-fishing on the Clark Fork or steelheadin’ at Lenore, he did it with the same knowledge and expertise in which he handled everything he endeavored. He had a passion for firearms and marksmanship, which not only included hunting to feed his family but a love of the history and protection of it all. Bill loved music, especially in the form of worship, and loved to hear his daughter’s band sing and play.

After he retired he enjoyed time with the VFW, acting as color guard for Memorial Day and various events. He also spent some time in retirement at Henley Aerodrome, pulling gliders and working in the flight museum when Silverwood opened in 1988.

Bill and Bev remained in their Dalton Gardens home from 1960 to 2016, moving to independent living at Garden Plaza, in Post Falls, Idaho.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Geraldine (Norris) Green, Delbert Norris, Norene (Norris) Reeves, Richard Norris, Guy Norris Jr. and Frank Norris; and his grandson, Isaac Norris, age 14.

Bill is survived by his children: daughter, Lynn, her husband, T. Nichols and their children, Justine (James), Robert (Stacey) and Spirit (Erik); son, Craig, his wife, Glenda (Beopple) Norris and their sons, Nathan (Erin) and Levi (Kaitlyn); daughter, Jan, her husband, Sam Conner and their son, Matthew (Kaytee); daughter, Kelley, her husband, Gregg and their sons, Keenan (Amanda) and Grady. Bill also leaves behind his youngest sister, Marilee (Norris) Wales; sisters-in-law, Pauline Norris and Janie (Koppang) Peterson; as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who gave hands-on care at Garden Plaza/The Bridge, in Post Falls, where Bill spent the last year of his life after the loss of Beverly, his wife of 67 years. We offer a deep thanks to those at Schneidmiller Hospice House who tended him in his last days with great compassion and care. And as always we offer a very heartfelt thanks to our beloved Dr. Riske and staff at Hayden Family Physicians. Finally, we would like to thank the many family and friends who attended his final birthday party on Sept. 29th, which also turned out to be a very special going away party for which we are extremely grateful.

“As you taught us, Dad, onward and upward. We love you.“

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 19, 2018, at House of Faith, 1103 N. Third St., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with English Funeral Chapel presiding. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m., at Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry.

Please sign his online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.