Bill Haughton, 83

Bill Haughton passed away peacefully on Sept. 5, 2019, at Schneidmiller Hospice House, in Coeur d’Alene, while surrounded by his loving family and friends, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bill was born on March 15, 1936, in Wenatchee, Wash., to Tom and Hazel (Drake) Haughton. He was the oldest of nine children. Bill grew up in Washington and Coeur d’Alene and graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Coeur d’Alene. He went on to graduate from automotive school in Chicago.

Bill married Linda Mains on June 14, 1967, in Coeur d’Alene. They had three children: Tom, Joe and Becky. They lived most of their 52 years of marriage at their house on Prairie Avenue. In 1995, Bill and Linda’s granddaughter, Devyn was born, and he made sure he and Linda took her on many adventures. Then, a second grandchild came in 2011 with the addition of Nathan Harper.

In Bill’s early years he owned a Texaco Gas station in Connell, Wash. He went on to drive trucks and log in the mountains of the Inland Empire. Later, he began driving a lowboy transport and hauled heavy equipment. Bill quickly became known in the area as the person to call if you needed heavy equipment moved. Some of the fondest memories his children have is spending time in the cab of the truck with Dad, or stopping traffic on Prairie Avenue so he could back the lowboy in at the end of each evening. He took his children on many adventures. Bill loved to work and didn’t stop when he would get home; he was always tinkering or helping someone.

Bill was a loving husband and made sure that he and his wife took time for themselves to experience the United States in their 5-wheel trailer, being gone for six weeks at a time. Bill never stopped showing his love for his beloved wife, even after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. He always made it a point to hold her hand and hug her — he loved her hugs.

Bill has a large, extended family that includes siblings, cousins, countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Bill truly loved and enjoyed every one of them and consistently stayed in contact. He enjoyed his time hunting in the mountains on horseback with his friend, John Gamet. Bill was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. When the boys were younger, he was a long-time Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed all the activities that they did.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Tom Haughton; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Verinda Haughton; daughter and son-in-law, Brian and Becky Basham; along with his absolute joys: granddaughter, Devyn Basham and grandson, Nathan Harper. He is also survived by his siblings and spouses, Jim and Billie Haughton, Ray and Ann Ahles, Carol Relph, Pat and Shelley Haughton, Bob Haughton, Dennis and Frankie Haughton, Greg and Rose Fredericks, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Hazel Haughton; sister, Bonnie Skinner and father and mother-in-law, Max and Gweene Mains.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Hospice of North Idaho in Bill’s memory.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Bill’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.