WILLIAM BROOKS KLINEFELTER

1920 - 2011

William Brooks Klinefelter, 90, passed away April 4, 2011 in Ridgefield, WA. He was born on October 29, 1920 to Roy and Nellie Brooks Klinefelter in Benton City, WA. He was the youngest of four children and the only son. All his life, he was affectionately called "Billy" by his older sisters.

Bill spent his early years in Alberta, Canada and then moved to the fruit orchards of Benton City after his mother passed away when he was nine years old.

During the Depression, Bill worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in Goldendale. He joined the Navy in 1942, earning numerous awards including a Purple Heart in the battle of Okinawa. He served in the Navy for 20 years, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 1962. Bill then worked for Boeing in Renton and Everett, retiring in 1982.

After World War II, Bill was stationed in San Diego. There he met and fell in love with Irene Rosella Storhoff. In 1948 they married and spent their first years together in southern California and Hawaii. In 1958 they moved to Lynnwood, WA and lived there until 1969, when they moved to Conway, WA. Bill fulfilled his dream of having a small farm, complete with cows, horses, pigs, chickens and ducks.

Bill had a great sense of humor. He was handy and could repair almost anything, and enjoyed wood-working projects. He enjoyed the time he spent volunteering at an elementary school, and being an active member of Fir-Conway Lutheran Church. He loved camping with his family, fishing, working on the farm, playing pinochle and long drives with friends.

He had a special way with animals, often "adopting" such creatures as wild guinea pigs and tree frogs. Dogs loved him instantly!
Bill was preceded in death by his wife Irene, and sister Irene Affleck.

He is survived by his sisters Ruth Marlin of Bremerton and Ruby Crowley of Roseburg OR, sons Brion, Earl (LaVonne), daughters Nancy Raley (Bob Whitaker), Shirley Gross (Gary), and Joyce Schooler (Matt); grandchildren Chenoah Torgerson (Jay), Zachary Klinefelter, William, Joseph and James Raley, Peter Gross (Mandy), Katy Gross, and Bethany Banke (Christopher); Ashley, Ryan and Allyson Schooler; great-grandchildren Elijah and Gabriel Torgerson, and Mace Gross.

A memorial service will be held on April 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Fir-Conway Lutheran Church, 18101 Fir Island Rd., Mt. Vernon, WA.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fir-Conway Lutheran Church or Hospice Southwest, PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668.

You may share your memories of Bill and sign his online guest register at www.kernfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.