William "Bill" H. Churchill

Bill went to be with the Lord June 24, 2011 in the peaceful setting at Hospice House of Spokane. He was born in Lansing, Michigan April 11, 1927 to Viora (Perrine) and Horton Nelson Churchill. He fought a courageous battle with prostate and bone cancer, first being diagnosed in 1987.

At age five the family moved the Napavine, Washington. While a young teen, he memorized aircraft silhouettes that qualified him to be a ‘spotter’ for enemy planes from a small tower atop the school. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the family moved to Seattle where his father had a civilian job to support WWII efforts. During high school he worked many jobs; most memorable to him was at Todd Shipyard working on destroyers being built for the US Navy. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1946.

Bill’s profession was Data Processing, from working on the first bank computers in Seattle to being DP Manager for CENEX and Rosauers Grocery chain here in Spokane. He was involved with getting the first grocery scanner in Spokane. Retirement was more semi-retirement, as he renovated a house to rent, managed 21 rentals and was Data Processing consultant for Senior Times Publishing.

On March 13, 1976 he married Velma Morris Koziuk. She was his best friend as well as dance partner and travel companion. They both took flight instructions and flew their Cessna 172 throughout western U.S., western Canada and north to Alaska. (His cancer put a stop to that as the FAA would not approve his license.) RV travel followed with major trips retracing the Oregon Trail and an RV Caravan through the Copper Canyon of Mexico. Other trips took them to many US states, Tahiti, parts of Europe (including cruising the Rhine and Danube Rivers), Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a South American cruise.

Music was an important part of his life; in his youth he played bass with his brother and father. Bill was an active member of the Pages of Harmony Barbershop chorus for 35 years before he became too weak to stand and participate. He sang with the church choir for over 12 years.

Bill was a man of many interests and talents; he actively participated with Ferris PTA ‘Hams On Regal’ theatre productions, Spokane Valley Rotary, Pages of Harmony, Washington Pilots Assoc., Lilac City Good Sams RV Club, Spokane Valley Senior Center, Inland Empire Rental Assoc. Bill and his wife shared most of these interests and served as officers.

Hobbies included travel, photography, reading, singing, dancing, personal computer, watercolor painting, backpacking (Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Olympic Natural Park, Bob Marshall Wilderness, MT and more). He followed the Seahawks, Mariners, and Spokane Indians.

Survivors are his wife of 35 years, Velma; three daughter from a former marriage: Kimberly (Robert deceased) Simpson of Omak, Joel (Ana), Aaron (Lynn), and Leah Simpson; Lori (Craig) Finley of Spokane Valley, Rachel and Christy; Marcella (Ryan) Rader of Richland, Nicholas and Jake and six great grandchildren. The stepchildren are Paul (Kimla) Koziuk, Diane (Glen) Anderson, Sonya (Samuel) Feehan, and Glen (Jodi) Koziuk; an additional 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Brother John (Lorna) Churchill of Davis, CA and his lifelong friend since high school days, Paul (Charlotte) Taylor of Marysville, WA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Millwood Community Presbyterian Church Choir fund; Spokane Valley Rotary Charitable Trust, P O Box 14192, Spokane Valley, WA 99214 or Cancer Care Northwest Foundation, 12625 E. Mission Ave, #200, Spokane Valley, WA 99216.

A loving remembrance Memorial Service will be at 3 PM, Friday, July 8, at Millwood Community Presbyterian Church, 3223 North Marguerite Road, Spokane WA 99212; refreshments follow.