Obituary of William Curtis

William Kendall "Bill" Curtis passed away at home of natural causes on December 1, 2011. He was born to Lillie M. and William E. Curtis on April 16, 1927. He was reared in Meridian and attended schools there, graduating from Meridian High School in 1945. He immediately joined the Navy and served his military obligations in Hawaii. Upon discharge he returned to Meridian and attended Boise Junior College. During this time he met Helen Bartels and they were married in 1951, making their home in Boise. They observed their 60th wedding anniversary on September 1, 2011. This marriage was blessed with a daughter in 1957 and a son in 1963. The same year their son was born Bill and Helen built their dream home in Meridian and have lived in the same house 48 years. Little did Bill know, when in 1949 he was hired by Lawrence Hettinger to work at Producers Lumber Co., that he was launching his life long career in the lumber business. He held the position of bookkeeper and office manager for nearly 20 years until the company was sold and moved to Barber. Bill's employment was then transferred to Overland Lumber and Feed. Over time the business grew and Bill eventually became owner and operated under the name of Overland Lumber until retirement. He always appreciated his loyal employees and customers, calling many of them friends. Along the way Bill belonged to several civic and lumbermen's organizations, was a 50 year plus member of Idaho Lodge #1 AF&AM, York Rite Bodies, Scottish Rite and El Korah Shrine. One of the highlights of his life was in 1990 when he became Potentate of El Korah. This year produced many rewarding experiences while working for the children in the Shriners Hospital. Bill served on the Board of Governors for the Portland, Oregon Shriners Hospital for ten years. Things Bill liked to do were, driving vacations with many stops along the route for sightseeing, staying at his vacation homes in McCall and the Oregon Coast, planting a vegetable garden and watching it grow, hoping someone else would weed it, attending parades, pheasant and duck hunting, travelling to foreign countries, engaging in a friendly argument, watching TV and supporting Boise State Football. Most of all he saw to it that his family had opportunities to better themselves. Bill became a member of the Meridian United Methodist Church as a youth. He was active in Epworth League and always carried fond memories of attending church camp at Wallowa Lake, Oregon. When the present church building was erected he was instrumental in furnishing materials for construction. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law. Bill is survived by his wife, Helen, a daughter, Kimberly Corey and her husband, James, a son, Bill Jr. and his wife, Andrea, two sisters, Miriam Barr and Marguerite Scott, five grandchildren and two nieces. The family is thankful for Dr. James Weiss, M.D., First Choice Home Care and Life's Doors Hospice for their TLC during Bill's declining months. Funeral service will be conducted December 6, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Summers Funeral Homes, 3629 E. Ustick Rd. Meridian, with interment in the Meridian Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Patient Travel Fund, c/o El Korah Shrine, 1118 W. Idaho St., Boise, ID 83702, Meridian United Methodist Church, 235 E. Pine Ave., Meridian, ID 83642 or a charity of your choice.