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L.W. ‘Bill’ Palmer, 82

L.W. “Bill” Palmer, 82, of Sagle, Idaho, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019, at Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division, Sandpoint, Idaho, with a graveside service to follow at Pinecrest Cemetery. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a catered meal and sharing of stories at the Sagle Senior Center, 650 Monarch Road, Sagle, Idaho. Gathering for the meal and sharing will be around 1 p.m.

Bill was born in Van Nuys, Calif., Aug. 1, 1936; the son of Gerald and Mary Ellen Palmer (Greer). He was the younger of two brothers. Bill spent most of his young life in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

At an early age, Bill developed a love of trucking. He started commercially hauling and delivering produce in California in 1952.

Bill later served with the United States Navy Seabees from 1954-1956. He married Karen Ringstrum and they had two boys, Rick and Leon.

The family relocated to a small farm on Colburn-Culver Road near Sandpoint. Bill drove logging truck for Pack River Lumber Co. for many years before purchasing a long haul truck and going to work for Yellowstone Trucking Company. His haul routes covered most of the United States. During this time Karen passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Bill met Marilyn (Bossio) Moline at “Burt’s Place.” He asked her to dance and their romance began. They were married in August of 1984.

He and Marilyn spent several years trucking together across the country, sharing the driving. They had many adventures and met lifelong friends along the way.

Bill’s health caused him to leave driving and the couple opened up Pine Tree Alignment Service in Rathdrum, Idaho. From there they branched out into B & M Trucking, where they owned approximately 23 trucks that hauled building material to five states. Bill and Marilyn enjoyed the association and friendship of all the truckers who worked for them.

Bill retired from the business in 1997 due to failing health. From this time on, his health declined and several times he wasn’t expected to live. The family was always amazed that he had the strength to rally back. The family joked that he seemed to have nine lives or he was just needed here on earth. Bill loved family and enjoyed their visits. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

If you have stories or memories of Bill that you would like shared at the memorial service, please put them in writing and the officiating minister will gladly read them.

Bill is survived by his wife, Marilyn, at their home in Sagle; his son, Leon of Colorado; son, Rick of Spirit Lake, Idaho; a brother, Jerry Palmer of Sun Valley, Calif.; step-daughters Lucille (Larry) Blydenstien of Redmond, Ore., and Crystal (Don) Gunter of Sagle; 10 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Bill was proceeded in death by both parents, Gerald and Mary Ellen; his wife, Karen and stepson, Rod Moline and a longtime friend and partner, Stan Adams.

Rest in peace free from pain, Bill. You will be missed.

Family and friends are invited to sign Bill’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.