Welcome to the memorial page for
Bill McCullough
May 26, 1936 ~ April 25, 2017 (age 80) 80 Years OldShare Tribute:
Robert William “Bill” McCullough, 80 of Caldwell, passed away peacefully at his home, April 25, 2017. Bill was blessed to be surrounded by those who loved him and cared for him while on hospice the last seven months of his life.
In May of 1936, Bill was born in Wilton, North Dakota to Robert William McCullough and Helen Madeline Posey. He joined his three oldest brothers and later his only sister and two more brothers were added to the family. At the young age of five, Bill and his family moved to California. Six kids in a Model-A Ford in the middle of summer. At times the kids would have to get out of the car to help push it up the hills. After the war started, they moved to Washington where his parents worked in the ship yard. They lived in berry cabins in Puyallup until they were able to afford a home in Tacoma. In 1946, Bill’s parents divorced. Madeline and the six children moved to Seattle where she later met and married Leroy Earl “Slim” Ince. Soon after, the last brother was added to their family.
In 1954, Bill moved back to California to live with his dad where he later met and fell in love with Eleanor “Ele” Smith. Bill and Ele soon eloped to Mexico to exchange vows, but not before a quick stop at Savon Drugs where they purchased their wedding rings. Bill worked at Jade Laminates, a cabinet shop in Buena Park where he soon became partners with the owner. He and Ele resided in Englewood where Kathy was born in 1958. They moved to La Habra where Karen was born in 1960. Much later, Jenny joined the family in January of 1972. In December of 1972, Bill & Ele sold out their share of Jade Laminates to pursue a slower way of life. They loaded up their family during one of the coldest winters on record and moved to Middleton, Idaho. That first spring they bought 100 acres north of Caldwell and quickly learned how to “farm” setting syphon tubes and moving hand lines in their newly acclaimed wheat and alfalfa fields. This was definitely a chore that was new to them all. Later the property was subdivided and Bill and Ele kept a large portion for the family to grow up on. In 1973 Bill and Ele started Centre Valley Countertops, where Bill continued his life as a respected craftsman. The business grew with Bill’s leadership, his dedicated employees and the only advertisement he used was word of mouth.
Throughout life, Bill enjoyed big game hunting, horseback trips through Canada and his favorite place on earth, Stanley, Idaho. He took much pride in the garden he and Ele would grow each summer. Everyone knew where to go for the best corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes. After retirement Bill’s favorite thing to do was travel with Ele. The one place that was second home to them both was Salome, Arizona. For many years, they’d “snowbird” from fall through spring. They made many lifelong friends and enjoyed the retired life, socializing, playing cards, and enjoying the warm desert sun. Without a doubt, bills favorite pastime was telling jokes. No one could tell a funny story or a riddle, like Bill. He could hold your attention until the very end and the inevitable punchline!! You never ran in to him without hearing, “Hey, did you hear about…?” Or, “Did I tell you about…?” But his notorious one liner was, “Hold up your finger…that’s your thumb”.
In August of 2015, at the age of 79, Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. The following June after he turned 80, Bill followed the Lord in Believers Baptism. Although the majority of his life, Bill was not a “religious” man, as some would call it, but when he trusted in Christ, there was a change in him that only could have been accomplished through the Lord.
Bill is survived by his brothers, Don, Jon and Steve; sister, Peg; his children, Kathy (Joe) Ihli, Karen Thompson, Jenny (Scott) Carpenter; 8 grandkids; 9 great-grandkids; and several nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; mother; stepfather; the love of his life, Ele; and brothers, Gavin & Gene.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many blessings (as Bill would call them) ~ Dad’s brother Jon never failed to make his daily 15 minute visit….. We started to call it the “The Uncle Jon 15”. Dr. Augustus, Dr. Alan, nurses Janice, Christina and Mike and the entire staff at Auburn Crest Hospice. They never hesitated to give the very best care and in the quickest time possible. Their commitment and encouragement never ceased and caring for dad would not have been possible without their guidance. Also, the family would like to send special thanks to Kim, Amber and Rikki who all played a significant role in Dad’s last year of life. Last but not least, Becca, Allison & granddaughter Madi were the daily blessings that helped make it possible for us to allow Dad to stay in the comfort of his own home.
Bill’s Celebration of Life will be held Monday, May 22nd at 4:00 p.m. at West Valley Baptist Church, 2513 Sundance Rd, Nampa. Although we miss Dad beyond words, we hold onto the fact that we will see him again in Heaven and the phrase he used almost daily gives us much comfort. With his thumb up he would tell us, “Everything’s gonna be ok”!
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com
In May of 1936, Bill was born in Wilton, North Dakota to Robert William McCullough and Helen Madeline Posey. He joined his three oldest brothers and later his only sister and two more brothers were added to the family. At the young age of five, Bill and his family moved to California. Six kids in a Model-A Ford in the middle of summer. At times the kids would have to get out of the car to help push it up the hills. After the war started, they moved to Washington where his parents worked in the ship yard. They lived in berry cabins in Puyallup until they were able to afford a home in Tacoma. In 1946, Bill’s parents divorced. Madeline and the six children moved to Seattle where she later met and married Leroy Earl “Slim” Ince. Soon after, the last brother was added to their family.
In 1954, Bill moved back to California to live with his dad where he later met and fell in love with Eleanor “Ele” Smith. Bill and Ele soon eloped to Mexico to exchange vows, but not before a quick stop at Savon Drugs where they purchased their wedding rings. Bill worked at Jade Laminates, a cabinet shop in Buena Park where he soon became partners with the owner. He and Ele resided in Englewood where Kathy was born in 1958. They moved to La Habra where Karen was born in 1960. Much later, Jenny joined the family in January of 1972. In December of 1972, Bill & Ele sold out their share of Jade Laminates to pursue a slower way of life. They loaded up their family during one of the coldest winters on record and moved to Middleton, Idaho. That first spring they bought 100 acres north of Caldwell and quickly learned how to “farm” setting syphon tubes and moving hand lines in their newly acclaimed wheat and alfalfa fields. This was definitely a chore that was new to them all. Later the property was subdivided and Bill and Ele kept a large portion for the family to grow up on. In 1973 Bill and Ele started Centre Valley Countertops, where Bill continued his life as a respected craftsman. The business grew with Bill’s leadership, his dedicated employees and the only advertisement he used was word of mouth.
Throughout life, Bill enjoyed big game hunting, horseback trips through Canada and his favorite place on earth, Stanley, Idaho. He took much pride in the garden he and Ele would grow each summer. Everyone knew where to go for the best corn on the cob and fresh tomatoes. After retirement Bill’s favorite thing to do was travel with Ele. The one place that was second home to them both was Salome, Arizona. For many years, they’d “snowbird” from fall through spring. They made many lifelong friends and enjoyed the retired life, socializing, playing cards, and enjoying the warm desert sun. Without a doubt, bills favorite pastime was telling jokes. No one could tell a funny story or a riddle, like Bill. He could hold your attention until the very end and the inevitable punchline!! You never ran in to him without hearing, “Hey, did you hear about…?” Or, “Did I tell you about…?” But his notorious one liner was, “Hold up your finger…that’s your thumb”.
In August of 2015, at the age of 79, Bill accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. The following June after he turned 80, Bill followed the Lord in Believers Baptism. Although the majority of his life, Bill was not a “religious” man, as some would call it, but when he trusted in Christ, there was a change in him that only could have been accomplished through the Lord.
Bill is survived by his brothers, Don, Jon and Steve; sister, Peg; his children, Kathy (Joe) Ihli, Karen Thompson, Jenny (Scott) Carpenter; 8 grandkids; 9 great-grandkids; and several nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; mother; stepfather; the love of his life, Ele; and brothers, Gavin & Gene.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the many blessings (as Bill would call them) ~ Dad’s brother Jon never failed to make his daily 15 minute visit….. We started to call it the “The Uncle Jon 15”. Dr. Augustus, Dr. Alan, nurses Janice, Christina and Mike and the entire staff at Auburn Crest Hospice. They never hesitated to give the very best care and in the quickest time possible. Their commitment and encouragement never ceased and caring for dad would not have been possible without their guidance. Also, the family would like to send special thanks to Kim, Amber and Rikki who all played a significant role in Dad’s last year of life. Last but not least, Becca, Allison & granddaughter Madi were the daily blessings that helped make it possible for us to allow Dad to stay in the comfort of his own home.
Bill’s Celebration of Life will be held Monday, May 22nd at 4:00 p.m. at West Valley Baptist Church, 2513 Sundance Rd, Nampa. Although we miss Dad beyond words, we hold onto the fact that we will see him again in Heaven and the phrase he used almost daily gives us much comfort. With his thumb up he would tell us, “Everything’s gonna be ok”!
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.dakanfuneralchapel.com
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