William John Harms II

William J. “Willie” Harms was born on April 3, 1933 in a potato warehouse in Mikana, Wisconsin, to William John Harms and Nina VanDerHyde. He was the 4th child of 8 and the 1st son with sisters Rose, Kay, Florence, Annette, Janice and Darlene, and a brother John.

When he was 12, he came by train with his Mother and siblings to Spokane. Rose, the oldest, stayed behind in Wisconsin. It was an uncomfortable trip because it was after WWII and soldiers were given priority seating. They made do with the floor. When they arrived in Spokane they stayed with his Uncle Harry VanDerHyde and Aunt Elva until Nina could buy a house on East Knox in the Spokane Valley.

Willie left school after the 8th grade and went to work to help support the family, painting the little houses being built in the neighborhood, including the one on Vista Road that he would buy after he married Shirma Ann “Sue” Neddo in 1955.

Sue met Willie when he was on leave from the army at a Grange Dance in January. By April 2nd, the day before his 22nd birthday, they were married. Willie and Sue had 3 children, William John 3rd, Joy Lynne, and Barbara Lee. They later adopted their 4th child, Steven Douglas, which completed their family.

Willies love of cars started early, he was building his first cars at age 5 out of orange crates, tin cans, and wire. Once he started building and fixing cars, he never stopped. He was an auto body repairman and Master Restorer and won many trophies for his meticulous restorations of Model A Fords. He built his own auto body repair shop and ran that for several years before he retired to teach his craft at the Spokane Skills Center. He loved teaching high school kids and passing on his extensive knowledge of cars. He taught many young people, including 3 of his own grandsons and 2 of his granddaughters.

His religion was very important to him. He served as Bishop in the LDS Church for 4 and a half years and later served in the Spokane Mission as the Car “Czar”, maintaining the mission fleet.

Willie passed away on December 12, 2015. He battled ill health in his final years, but still managed to work on cars until the last week of his life. He leaves several unfinished projects, still planning to finish the ’65 Comet for Sue, a ’64 and 1/2 Mustang, and a ’33 Ford 2-door.

Willie Harms was a Big Man. Not just in physical stature with the biggest hands and hardest grip, but big in character. He had a big soft marshmallow heart, and would help anyone in any way he could. He was generous with his time and knowledge and everyone who knew him has had his advice or help with their cars. His passing leaves a big hole that can never be filled.

Willie is survived by his wife, Sue, of 60 years, his 4 children and their spouses, 13 grandchildren, and soon to be 40 great grandchildren. The Funeral Service will be Sat., Dec. 19, 2015, 11:00am at Foothills Latter Day Saints Church, 5322 N. Evergreen, Spokane, WA with interment at Greenwood Memorial Terrace. A visitation is scheduled Fri., Dec. 18, 2015 from 1 – 3pm at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines, Spokane Valley, WA.