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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Closson, William A. “Bill”

Age 78

CLOSSON, William A.

“Bill” Lifelong Colfax resident, passed away May 12, 2013 at the Whitman Hospital in Colfax.

He was 78.

Viewing will be Wednesday from 10 to 5 at Bruning Funeral Home in Colfax.

The Funeral Service will be Thursday, May 16th with Graveside Services being held at 10:30 in the Colfax Cemetery and a Memorial Service to be held at 1:00 at the First Baptist Church.

Bill was born December 22, 1934 in Colfax to Al and Florence Barr Closson.

He grew up on a farm in the Elberton area and attended school in Garfield.

When he was a senior in high school the family moved to Spring Flat between Colfax and Pullman and Bill graduated from Colfax High in 1953.

He married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Ann Filan, June 12, 1953.

They made their home in Colfax.

Bill worked for the Whitman County Road Department and Evelyn kept busy as a homemaker and mother.

In 1966 Bill took over the family farm along Barr Road and also farmed in the Endicott area.

He drove school bus for the Colfax School District for over thirty years and was known for giving large candy bars to students celebrating birthdays.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed the students and helped sponsor many kids over the years for sports events or education activities.

He was a high school basketball referee for many years and a member of the Whitman County Referee’s Association.

Bill also had an “office” career and went to the “office” routinely.

He was an avid card player.

Bill was a member of the Colfax Elks for many years, a member of the Cougar Club and a founding member of the Bank of Whitman.

Bill loved sports of all kinds and was always a fan.

He and Evelyn loved to travel; they rode motorcycles together, spent family camping trips together and shared many outings along the river fishing for steelhead.

Bill never missed a sporting event that featured one of his children or grandchildren.

He was proud of all of them and family truly was his greatest joy.

He and Evelyn were just one month short of celebrating sixty years of marriage together.

He also had many friends and enjoyed developing friendships all over the county.

He is survived by his wife Evelyn at Colfax; daughters Pam (Keith) Becker, Colfax, Julie (Ed) Dashiell, Hunters, WA; daughter-in-law Donna (Bernt) Lehn, Farmington, WA; five grandchildren, Jennifer Harris, K.C.

Becker, Jaclynn Wallace, Alicia Closson and Elef Closson; five great-grandchildren, William, Anabelle, Josh, Haakon and Vivienne; as well as his brother, Robert Closson of Colfax.

He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Closson December 22, 1994 and by his parents.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Whitman Hospital Foundation or to the Colfax School Foundation.

On-line guest book is at www.bruningfuneralhome.com.

BRUNING FUNERAL HOME of COLFAX is caring for the family.