Obituary: Ebrecht, William E. “Bill”
Age 67
The eldest of four sons, he attended schools in Granite City, where he graduated from high school in 1965.
He studied at the University of Tulsa on a music scholarship and was drafted to the United States Army on the same day he graduated with a degree in Music Education.
Trained as a medical records tech, he served at the 95th Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam.
He was frequently involved in triage and emergency treatment during mass casualty evacuations.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in 1972, he entered graduate school at New Mexico State University, specializing in guidance counseling and education.
It was during this time that he met Roberta (Tobie) Ebrecht, who would become his wife of over 41 years.
He worked for the VA as a Veterans Representative on Campus while studying for a doctorate degree in vocational rehabilitation at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
In 1978 Bill moved his family to Ferry County, Washington, where he served as head of the counseling department at Curlew Job Corps for 25 years.
He worked with at-risk students, wrote drug programs, and ran fire crews before retiring as head of the counseling and residential departments in 2005.
In his spare time he enjoyed old cars, old trucks, old tractors, draft horses, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan.
He is survived by his wife, Tobie, of Spokane Valley, WA; his son, Rick and spouse Mindy, of Seattle, WA; daughter Greta and spouse Mike, of Spokane, WA; grandchildren Quentin and Petra; and three brothers: Jim and spouse Betty, of Montrose, CO, Ron, of New Haven, CT, and Gary, of Granite City, IL.
A gathering of friends and family will be held on Sunday, August 23, 2015, at 1st Presbyterian Church in Republic, WA at 2:00 PM.
There will also be an outdoor memorial service with full military honors at Clear Lake Recreation Area, S. 14824 Clear Lake Road, Cheney, WA, the following Sunday, August 30th at 1:00 PM.
All are welcome to attend either or both services; light refreshments will be provided.