Bill McGrew, 81

William (Bill) McGrew, 81, of Glenns Ferry, died Thursday, May 29, 2003, at his residence.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 3, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mountain Home. Burial followed at the Glenn Rest Cemetery in Glenns Ferry. Arrangements were under the direction of Summers Funeral Homes, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.

Bill was born Oct. 3, 1921, in Chicago, Ill., the son of R. Brownell and Bertha C. (Horst) McGrew.

He received an Associate Degree in Engineering from Pasadena Junior College.

Bill was a WWII veteran. He planned the shipping routes and the three landing sites for Gen. MacArthur's return to the Philippines.

Bill received a non-battlefield commission from Gen. MacArthur himself from tech sergeant to a second lieutenant. After the war he received a nomination to West Point where his grandson, Nathaniel, is presently attending.

Bill was a certified voice instructor.

Bill ranched in Oregon after the war for 20 years until he traded ranches to move to Idaho. He owned Sagebrush Chrysler, Captain's Galley, and What-A-Racquet Health Club with his wife, Helen.

Bill and Helen were married for 51 years.

Over the years Bill gave a number of scholarship funds to Glenns Ferry youths.

Bill is survived by: his wife, Helen McGrew of Glenns Ferry; daughter Janet Loomis and her husband, Tim, of Mountain Home; son John McGrew of Glenns Ferry; stepdaughter June Green of Goldfield, Nev.; stepsons Paul Simonds and his wife, Ann, of Cheshire, Ore., and Berkeley Simonds and his wife, Margie, of Cupertino, Calif.; sister Betty Kniep and her husband, Louis, of San Gabriel, Calif.; 15 grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, sister, grandson and step-grandson.

Memorials may be made in Bill's name to Lutheran Bible Translators, 303 North Lake St., Box2050, Aurora, IL 60507-2050.