PETERSON, Willard Born September 1, 1924, passed away at age 88 on January 18, 2013 at Sacred Heart Medical Center from complications of a stroke.

Willard was born on a farm near Albeni Falls, Idaho and graduated from Priest River High School.

During World War II he served in the Merchant Marines and returned to the area to marry Arleigh Lewis, a graduate of Newport High School.

Willard and Arleigh raised their three children in Newport/Oldtown.

He was an avid outdoorsman enjoyed hunting and fishing and their family spent many years at their cabin at Priest Lake.

In his later years, he enjoyed a variety of activities.

Willard and Arleigh sparred daily with a competitive game of cribbage.

Woodworking was one of his favorite past times.

He also loved the time he spent with his friends in Asphalt Angel car club where he showed his 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 convertible.

Additionally, he had a close group of friends that he met for coffee daily to visit about politics and issues of the day.

Many remember Willard as the garbage man for Newport and Priest River for over 20 years.

Following that he worked for Bonner County driving truck through 1987.

Willard was active in the community including serving as Oldtown mayor for over 30 years.

He also served on the water board, school board and election board.

Willard is survived by a large and loving family including his wife of 67 years Arleigh; son Phillip and Rita; and daughter Gale and Don as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister Lois and his son Michael.

Willard’s memorial service will be held at 11:00 on Saturday January 26, 2013 at the United Church of Christ in Newport.