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Bill Tindall
William "Bill" Tindall, 93, of Grasmere, Idaho, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in a local hospital.
Funeral services will be held at the American Legion Hall in Bruneau, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. A viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to service. A family internment will be held at the Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home, Idaho, at 3:45 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home.
Born on March 21, 1916, in Mountain Home, Idaho, Bill was the first of six children born to Chester and Leota (Herron) Tindall of Tindall, Idaho. At a very young age he contracted polio, which left him with a badly twisted spine. After many years of medical treatment and using various braces, Bill was able to lead an active, productive life as a cowboy/rancher doing all aspects of ranch work.
Because his mother was a firm believer in the value of education, the Tindall family maintained a school on the ranch for their children and others in the surrounding area. Bill attended grade school in the one-room school until the eighth grade. He then boarded at the Weiser Institute for a portion of his high school years and graduated from Boise High School in 1935. He went on to study mechanical engineering at San Diego Junior College, graduating in 1940.
Upon graduation, he went to work for Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego, Calif. He was part of an engineering team whose mission was to design aircraft used for the war. One of his greatest accomplishments was the invention of a mechanism that operated the aileron on a B-24 Liberator airplane. This invention was patented by Consolidated Aircraft, for which Bill received a $50 bonus.
While he was living in LaMesa, Calif., he met and married Margaret Binggeli in 1942. They soon began a family with their daughter, Betty, and son, Eugene.
In 1951, with the conclusion of the war, the declining demand for airplanes and the failing health of his father in Idaho, Bill and Margaret decided to move back to the family ranch. The move was difficult for Margaret, but Bill was happy to return to his roots in Owyhee County. Two more children, David and Kenneth were soon added to the family.
Bill continued ranching in partnership with his three brothers, Chet, Bob and Jim, until 1975 when he purchased their interest in the ranch. Bill was actively involved in the Owyhee Cattlemen's Association and the Idaho Cattlemen's Association for many years. He was proud of having been elected as the president of the Owyhee Cattlemenıs Association in 1968. He was also honored to be inducted into the Southern Idaho Livestock Hall of Fame.
Even though Bill lived in Grasmere, he still found time to devote to public service. He served many years as a trustee for the Bruneau-Grand View School District. He served on the Board of Directors for the Production Credit Association. He was the Chief Judge on the Election Board for the Riddle Precinct for many years. Most recently, he was honored by the National Weather Service for over 45 years of recording weather information.
Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Margaret of Grasmere; his daughter, Betty "Greta" Tindall, of Norfolk, Va.; his sons, Eugene Tindall and wife Mary, David Tindall and wife Celia, and Kenneth Tindall, all of Bruneau; grandchildren Heidi Conner, Russell Hegney, Jason Tindall, Justin Tindall, Matt Tindall, Sue (Phillip) Law, Brooke Tindall, Jennifer (Jake) Bigelow, Pat Tindall, Zack Tindall, Katie Tindall, Eliza Tindall, and eight great-grandchildren; brothers Chet Tindall (Jessie) and Bob Tindall, both of Mountain Home; sister Bess McKay of Caldwell, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill is preceded in death by both his parents, his brother, Jim, and his sister, Ethel.
Bill was a quiet, thoughtful and humorous person. His life was full of physical challenges which were met with a strong will, a positive attitude and never a complaint. He believed in a good dayıs work and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. He enjoyed having a cup of coffee and a good visit with a friend, a neighbor, or a stranger passing through Grasmere. We will greatly miss this genuine antique cowboy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Idaho Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 8538 Boise, ID 83707 or Boys Town, P.O. Box 6000 Boys Town, NE 68010, or a favorite charity of your choice.