Bill Eveleigh, 77

William R. Eveleigh, 77, of Mountain Home, died Aug. 20, 2005, of natural causes at a Boise hospital.

He was born Jan. 16, 1928, in Grand Falls, Newfoundland, Canada, to Nathaniel and Charlotte Eveleigh. He was the second of seven children, four sons, and three daughters.

He was raised in Grand Falls, a company-owned paper mill town, about 40 miles from the Atlantic coast, where he learned to love the outdoors and the sea.

He graduated from high school in 1945 and shortly after joined an American merchant ship. He sailed on various ships for nearly three years, visiting Europe, the Caribbean, South America, India, Burma, and Africa.

His love for the sea continued throughout his life, bringing many hours of joy to his family as they explored seaports and museums, creating lifelong memories.

William joined the Air Force in 1948, serving for 22 years. He attended Basic Training at Lackland AFB and Shepherd AFB, in Texas, and was stationed initially in Kansas.

In 1953, while stationed in Tennessee, he met his wife of 51 years, Shirley. She was also active duty Air Force, although her career ended with the birth of their first daughter, Sandra.

After Kansas, William was stationed in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, New York, Illinois, Tennessee, France, Massachusetts, Colorado and Thailand before his final assignment at Mountain Home AFB, where he retired in 1970 as a master sergeant.

Two years later he joined the Federal Civil Service at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio and in 1974 was able to return to Mountain Home AFB where he retired for good in 1991, having served over 40 years for his adopted country.

William and his family loved the area very much and enjoyed many camping trips to the mountains and West Coast areas.

He was a member of Pentucket Lodge AF & AM, in Lowell, Me., for over 40 years, and affiliated with Elmore Lodge #30 AF&AM in Mountain Home.

He was preceded in death by: his infant son, David; his parents; and his brothers Bert, John and Vince.

He is survived by: his wife, Shirley; daughters Sandra (Edmondson) and Carol (Kirkland), four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his sisters, Frances, Margaret, and Patricia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

At his request, his remains will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea with Masonic Rites.

Memorials may be made to the Elmore Lodge #30, AF&AM, or Idaho Public Television, care of Bowman Funeral Parlor, 5525 N. Glenwood St., Garden City, ID 83714.