Billy "Bill" Jack Eye

Billy Jack Eye was born March 29, 1950 in Anthony, Kansas to Ronald and Joan Eye and passed away on September 14, 2010. Bill lived in Anthony, Kansas before moving to Canyon City, Colorado in 1957 where he lived until he graduated from Canyon City High School in 1968. During his school years he participated in football, wrestling, marching band, and ROTC. He then attended college at Fort Lewis in Durango, Colorado. In 1976, he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and worked various jobs until he met and married Mary McConnell in 1985. They then had three children; Amy Jo (1986), Brian (1988), and Emily (1989).

Bill and his family moved to Spokane, Washington in 1990 where he worked retail for 12 years at Repp Big & Tall and Dahle’s Big & Tall. In 2002, Bill began working for the Central Valley School District at North Pines Junior High as a Special Education Educational Assistant where he found his passion for working with special needs children. He also worked as an In-School-Suspension Advisor. In 2009 he continued his passion for working with special needs children and moved to Central Valley High School. Bill also assisted in coaching a variety of sports, including track, wrestling, and football. He was loved by his students, fellow teachers, and staff. In addition to coaching and working with special needs children, Bill was a coach for Spokane Junior Wrestling for 13 years. This was a program he believed strongly in and loved working with the young kids, helping to instill in them hard work, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He loved horseback riding with his horse Curly, camping, hunting, boating, 4-Wheeling, and riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle. One of his favorite spots to spend time with friends and family was Diamond-T Ranch in Clark Fork, Idaho. In the summer time Bill also would work harvest near Spangle, Washington. He was loved by all that knew him, he always had a smile on his face and his hearty laugh was infections. He kept his sense of humor to the very end.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Ronald and Joan Eye, maternal grandparents Reba and Chester Lear, paternal grandparents Edwin and Kathryn Eye, Uncles William and Jack Lear, and Uncle Richard and Aunt Ila Eye. He is survived by his wife Mary Eye, and three children Amy Jo Haynes (and husband James), Brian Eye, and Emily Eye. Also by his Great Aunt Dorothy Patterson, Aunt Cathy Coady (and husband Mike), Aunt Freddie Lear, Mother-in-Law Lois Marshall, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and extended family.

Funeral service for Bill will be on Tuesday September 21, 2010 at 10:00am at Greenacres Baptist Church, located on Sprague and Barker Road. Immediately following the funeral service will be a graveside service at Spokane Memorial Gardens. Donations are being accepted to the American Lung Association (American Lung Association National Headquarters 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004) or to Spokane Junior Wrestling (SJW Wrestling PO BOX 11525 Spokane Valley, WA 99211)