William 'Dr. Bill' Inman, 71

DVM, BS, CVCP

The critters in heaven had ailments only Dr. Bill could heal, so God said, “Bill, let’s make a deal. Your time on earth was time well lived Not a minute wasted; nothing you wouldn’t give. I knew you’d change the life of everyone you’d meet. Now it’s time for your reward: an eternity of angels to rub your feet."

William (Dr. Bill) Inman died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family and dogs Aug. 18, 2023, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, after a valiant battle with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Bill was born to Jeanel and Paul Inman of Spokane, Wash., on Nov. 6, 1951, and grew up with his two brothers, Paul (Russ) and Marc (Bill claimed he was the better-looking of the three). He attended West Valley High School where he set a record for the long jump in Track and Field and was in a singing quartet called the “Choraliers.”

He was awarded a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Surgery & Dentistry from Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979, where he graduated with honors (Cum Laude), Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Psi, also a member of Delta Upsilon.

In 1982, Bill opened his own practice in Seattle, Lake City Animal Hospital and developed a healing modality similar to chiropractic on animals called Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation (VOM) Technology. He blazed a path for other doctors in the field of holistic veterinary medicine and in 1996 started traveling the country teaching his technology. He taught fervently until his last day on earth. His passion for healing was only surpassed by his love for his family.

While traveling to teach a seminar in Miami in 1997, his world would change forever. Little did he know that the woman sitting next to him would someday be his beloved wife. After four hours of banter and before parting ways, she put her name and number on a barf bag and the rest was history.

The couple were married in St. Paul, Minn., on May 29, 1998, but resided in Seattle, where they started their family. After having two daughters, Jasmine and Billie, they decided to move to beautiful Coeur d’Alene and start a new chapter. Bill continued to teach and, in 2003, developed a frequency-specific low-level laser therapy that would go on to save innumerable animals’ lives. In his spare time, he would continue to enjoy his motorcycles, Corvette, boat, snow skiing, scuba diving, reading in his library, playing guitar and banjo, building model airplanes and watching Fox News and Formula 1 racing. Although he complained about being a “dance dad," watching his daughters compete and perform on stages were by far his proudest moments.

Bill shared the love of performing arts with his family, he was known as the beloved doc of musical theater and served on the board of directors for Aspire. Since 2016, he performed in over 65 productions in local and Spokane Valley theater companies and even shared the stage with his wife and daughters on several occasions. One year he even played Santa Claus in “Traditions of Christmas.”

Three days before Christmas 2022, Bill was diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a tumor the size of a football, which had gone undiagnosed for months by several doctors and then misdiagnosed as a hiatal hernia. Bill was optimistic that he could fight this disease and win and in his words, “I’ve still got work to do and more animals to heal.” He pushed painstakingly through chemotherapy and trials and new treatments. And although he would never give up, his body had other ideas. He shared his journey on Facebook and created 65 posts entitled “The Cancer Chronicles,” musings of an old doggy doctor. Although hard to see the decline and struggles he endured, his posts were profound and optimistic. This larger-than-life man, husband, father, doctor, teacher, performer, mentor, best friend and hero will no doubt have a ripple effect from his life here on earth that will continue to bless the lives of both mankind and the animal kingdom for generations to come.

There will be Funeral Services at Yates Funeral Home, Hayden Chapel, 373 E. Hayden Ave, Hayden Idaho, at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, followed by a procession to Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

There will be a celebration of life at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, at 1 p.m. in the theater. Please dress in colorful attire per the request of Bill’s daughters. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the local theater company AspireCDA.com or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at givenow.lls.org.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of arrangements. Please visit Bill’s online memorial at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com and sign his guestbook.