John William "Bill" SAVAGE

02/18/1935 - 11/21/2015

SAVAGE, John William "Bill" The fourth child of Oscar and Mary Maher Savage, was born and raised in Spokane. He joined older siblings, James, Patricia, and Thomas on February 18, 1935. Younger brother, Terry, was born two years later. John attended St. Anthony's Parish School and Havermale Jr. High before graduating from North Central High School in 1952. Always a hard worker, John started at an early age by delivering The Spokesman-Review. He worked at the Davenport Parking Garage as a teenager during an era when entertainers often stayed at the Davenport while entertaining at the Coliseum. He had some good memories and stories about the people he met during that time. John was working as a fireman for Great Northern Railroad when he and June Croyle married in 1959. They had four children: Marie, John Jr., Patricia, and Paul. John continued working for the railroad until 1969. In the meantime, he was earning a B.A. in Education at what was then Eastern Washington College. Although he eventually taught only woodshop, he began his teaching career at Mead High School in 1964, also teaching biology, architectural drawing, and mechanical drawing. He earned a Master's Degree in counseling and began working at Spokane Falls Community College in 1970 where he was an academic counselor and taught career planning. In 1972, John also began advising personnel at Fairchild Air Force Base, helping many leaving the service plan for a new career. John was a talented wood worker and often taught adult woodworking classes. He particularly enjoyed teaching the construction of historic muzzle loading guns. John and June both retired from Spokane Falls Community College in 1995 and moved to the cabin at Diamond Lake that they had enjoyed for twenty years. With the help of their family, they remodeled the cabin, making it into a year-round residence. They spent many hours in John's shop building cabinets and furniture. John also enjoyed packing up their camper and dogs and heading out to often unknown destinations. Travelling to the Oregon Coast became his favorite. He could frequently be found taking a leisurely cruise around the lake he loved. John good-naturedly fought the effects of strokes in 2013 and more recently Goodpasture's Syndrome. He passed away at Riverview Care Center in Spokane on Saturday, November 21st. John's brothers preceded him in death. His sister Patty Belknap and sisters-in-law, Marybelle and Sally Savage survive him as do his wife June and his children and their spouses: Marie Savage (Tim) Hopfauf; John (Kelly) Savage Jr.; Patty (Chris) Markofski; and Paul (Kristin) Savage. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the staff at Riverview Care Center and Dr. Groza and the staff at Spokane Kidney Center for their skilled and compassionate care of John and support of June and the family. John has attended St. Anthony's Church in Newport since 1972. Funeral Mass will be there Saturday, December 5, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will be prior to service at the church. Interment will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane Monday, December 7 at 11:00. SHERMAN-KNAPP FUNERAL HOME in Newport, WA is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com