Obituary: Banks, William Henry Iii “Willie”

BANKS,
William
Henry III
“Willie”

Passed away last week at his home on the South Hill from lung cancer.

He was 63.

Bill was a lifelong local musician, avid fisherman, and full-time friend.

Many of his friends were kept since the day he met them, all the way back to elementary school at Lincoln Heights.

He spent his working years taking care of the parish property at All Saint’s School, and then after completing his MSW with Honors at EWU and winning the Mary Shields Award, he helped struggling families as a social worker for Washington’s Children & Family Services.

He is survived by his mother Louise and stepfather Neil Schmitt, his sister Vicky, his brothers Gary and Sean, his aunts Jean and Benny, uncle Robert, his cousins, Bo, Gail, Matt, Andy, LuAnn, John, Joan, Debbie, Tammy, Rob, Rick, many nieces and nephews, and especially his niece Sarah and his “grandkids” Julian and Miranda.

He will be remembered by friends and family for his sarcastic dry remarks, sharp wit, advice (asked for or not), and his profound love of music which he shared with scores of fellow musicians in the Northwest.

We will remember Bill at a memorial service held Wednesday, May 4th, at 1:30 p.m., Salvation Army Chapel, 222 E. Indiana, just off Division, in Spokane.