Andrew “Bill” Wilford Hjort Jr., 85

Andrew “Bill” Wilford Hjort Junior was born August 16, 1936 to Andrew Wilford Hjort Sr and Margaret Elizabeth Peters Hjort. He was the only brother to Berna (Bill) Hjort Roche and Karen (Dave) Hjort Lewis. Born in Coeur d Alene and raised in the Fort Grounds, Bill was a lifelong resident of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Childhood in Coeur d’Alene created an appreciation for being outdoors: hunting, fishing, snow skiing and boating were activities Bill enjoyed his entire life with friends and family. Bill played basketball on the Coeur d’Alene High School Vikings and North Idaho College Cardinals teams.

After seeing her working at the Boat Drive-in, Bill worked up the courage to ask Jean Ross to the movies in 1952. His Jean-o was the love of his life for 70 years. Bill and Jean were married in 1955 at the First Presbyterian Church of Coeur D’Alene where they were active lifelong members. With very little prompting, Bill would tell you marrying Jean was the best decision he ever made.

They began their family of five the next year with daughter Kristy who was joined by Julie, Linda, Tim and Greg. Bill was a hardworking man who supported his family in the early years with jobs at local companies, including making deliveries to restaurants and hotels for Cash n Carry, operating the merry go round at Playland Pier and driving the buggy at the planer in Potlatch Mill.

Quality education was a lifelong passion for Bill. He obtained his education degree from University of Idaho and dedicated 30 years to teaching junior high math in Coeur d’Alene and Canfield. He coached the basketball team, teaching future generations the “swish!” of the jump shot. Receiving the Outstanding Young Educator of the year award was a career highlight for Bill.

As a member of the Idaho Educational Association (IEA) and National Education Association (NEA), Bill was able to expand his impact to children needing quality education. His service with the IEA and NEA provided Bill a way to give his family the gift of travel. His own children and nieces and nephews joined him many summers for cross country road trips to attend IEA and NEA conferences. Bill and Jean also served as chaperones for high school students on overseas trips.

While Bill enjoyed those cross country and overseas trips, he really valued time spent with family at his cabin on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Shuttling people from the boat dock up to the cabin on his beloved tram was something he took great pride in.

Bill stayed active in his retirement. He continued to show support for the public school system. Bill would remind you that he was such a good driver that his retirement job was driving a tour bus. Bottling beer as a volunteer at Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company expanded his social circle to include his “pub friends”. Annual winter RV journeys to Yuma, Arizona allowed Bill to enjoy ATVing and golf in the sunshine. These road trips included stops along the way with friends and family in CA, WA and NV. More than anything, he enjoyed the extra time retirement offered to be with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bill passed away peacefully on January 24, 2022 surrounded by the love of his family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jean (Ross) Hjort and their five children: Kristy (Robert) Trask (Moses Lake, WA), Julie (Rodger) Lowery (Newport Beach, CA), Linda (Tony) Ehrenberg (Spokane, WA), Tim (KellyAnne) Hjort (Scottsdale, AZ), Greg (Christina) Hjort (Seattle, WA); eight grandchildren:

Stephanie (Henry), Rob (Chantel), Maggie (Mike), Jonathan (Danika), Andrew, Jeffrey, Richie, Samuel; and seven great grandchildren: Perry, Stevie, Max, Jack, Ava, Enzo, and Sofia.

A viewing/visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Yates Funeral Home – Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. 4th St., Coeur d’Alene.

Services will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 28, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 521 E. Lakeside Ave., Coeur d’Alene. A reception will be hosted after the service by the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to the Children’s Village, 1350 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 (thechildrensvillage.org)

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Bill’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com