April 17, 1942 - December 03, 2023
William Patrick Howard Obituary William (Bill) Howard, age 81, of Spokane, WA, passed away on December 3, 2023. Bill was born April 17, 1942 in Missoula Mt to Grace and William Howard. He was the second child in a family of eight children. His life was filled with love and support which he gave and received from his parents, grandparents, and siblings as well as his extended Howard /Helean family and his friends. Bill's calling was sales. He made so many lasting friendships in his sales territory of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana. Bill was a great raconteur, sharing so many stories of the people he met, and the beauty he witnessed, especially of western Montana. Bill served in the US army and was stationed at Fort Bragg during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was very proud of his military service and his veteran status. After discharge, while working for his father in Missoula, the 1964 Ford Mustang made its debut on April 17, which was Bill's birthday. Of course, he became one of the first owners in Missoula of a black Mustang fastback. Bill moved to Spokane in 1965, to take his sales position with Van Waters & Rogers, and there he met his future wife Judy Foley, also a Montana native. After a whirlwind courtship of over two years, they married and began a loving relationship of 54 years, adding sons Steve and Matt in 1970 and 1972 to the clan. Later in Spokane he acquired a 1932 Ford Phaeton reproduction car, red with black fenders and white canvas top. When he sold this car, he had such regret that a few years later he tracked it down and purchased it again. Bill loved this car almost as much as he loved his wife, although the photo in his wallet was of the Phaeton. Every year Bill enjoyed attending the Barrett- Jackson classic car auction in Scottsdale with Steve and Steve's friends. His sons played many sports. He never missed a game, and good game day or bad, all they ever heard from him was praise. That support was later extended to his granddaughters too, attending soccer and track meets for Grace and Emily, joking with Caitlin and Laila, and never backing down from a miniature golf challenge with Holly! Whenever any of us told a joke, he laughed so heartily that we thought we were really funnier than we actually were. But his sense of humor was the best. He was always able to think of a quip or off-beat observation that could stop the conversation for a good laugh. He was a handyman and could fix almost anything broken. Whether it was mechanical, plumbing, or carpentry, he could be found working on a project with either Waylon or Willie singing on the soundtrack. In retirement, Bill's routine was to meet every morning with friends, old and new, at McDonalds, where coffee and stories were shared. He loved these gatherings. Bill is survived by his wife Judy, sons Steve (Christy) in Phoenix, Matt (Kristen) in Spokane, granddaughters Grace, Emily, Holly, Caitlin, and Laila, sisters Ginny Moen in Libby, Joy Miles (Mike) in Missoula, Helen Barnes (Richard) in Missoula, brothers Jim (Marcia) in Frenchtown, Sid in Oklahoma, Gary (Rhonda) in Missoula, and Stan (Elizabeth) in Missoula. The family wishes to thank the surgeons, Dr Jonathan Nickoloff and Dr Erica Garbrecht, doctors and nurses of Sacred Heart ICU, the Palliative Care team, and nurses on 7South, and also Robert Netjes ARNP at VA Medical Center, Spokane, and Dr Eric Skoog, Spokane Eye Clinic for the excellent care. A celebration/party honoring Bill's life is planned for the spring. Donations in Bill's honor may be made to your charity of choice. Bill taught us the value of people over things, That every day is a good day to be kind, And that having fun is important in life. He will be greatly missed by his family, and by his many friends. Rest in peace, Bill, you showed all of us how to live a good life! "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of William, please visit our Tree Store
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