Obituary: Mimnaugh, Eugene J., Jr. “Bill”
Age 85
He was born in Spokane on April 5, 1927 to Dorothy and Eugene Mimnaugh.
He had one brother, Robert Jack Mimnaugh, who preceded him in death.
Bill interrupted his schooling at Lewis & Clark High School to join the Navy during WWII, serving with the 3rd Amphib Fleet in the Pacific.
He returned to Lewis & Clark to complete his education, graduating in 1947.
He then attended Eastern Washington College for pre-engineering studies.
He married Patricia Jean Bumgarner on December 28, 1949.
They started their life together in Seattle where Bill furthered his education at University of Washington School of Mines.
He is survived by his wife Jean, three sons Steven (Jay) of Sandy, UT, Herbert (Heidi) of Spokane, David (Michelle) of Sandpoint, ID; two daughters Elizabeth Fish (Scott) and Dee Dee Van Cleef (Mike) both of Spokane, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Where there were children and/or animals they surrounded him and loved him.
During his child rearing years he had plenty of both.
One of Bill’s favorite places was the waterfront A-frame cabin on Coeur d’Alene Lake he built with his sons and son-in-law at his side in the early 1970’s.
It is here where he loved to watch his growing family and dogs vacation and play in the summers and in retirement he and Jean moved from Spokane to the cabin.
Winters were spent in Yuma, AZ where they enjoyed many new friends and activities.
Square dancing became one of their biggest pleasures.
Bill was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, Phi Sigma Kappa, Masonic Lodge 246, Scottish Rite, El Katif Shrine and South Spokane Shrine Club where he served as president in 1987.
Shrine activities continued in Yuma where he was a member of the Foothills Shrine Club and he served as treasurer for 11 years for the Shriner Diners who prepared hamburger feeds at the RV parks to raise money for Shriners Hospitals for Children for which he had a great passion.
Bill was adored by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.
Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, PO Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472 or a favorite local charity of choice.