William Klein

William Klein, 80

September 22, 1945 - October 2, 2025

"Bill" William Bruce Klein passed away peacefully on October 2nd, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. A devoted father, trusted friend, and beloved neighbor, Bill lived a full and vibrant life marked by creativity, dedication, and heart.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Bill spent his childhood in the high mountain mining towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado. He attended Colorado College on a full scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business. While there, he walked on to the swim team which was just one example of the quiet determination that would define his life.

Bill proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, NAVCOM Intelligence Division, during the Vietnam War. While stationed on a remote Alaskan island, he discovered a love of painting and sculpture that would become a lifelong passion.

After his military service, Bill earned a Master's degree in Architecture from the University of Utah, laying the foundation for a career that would span more than four decades. His early work centered on the preservation and documentation of historic buildings, including projects recognized by the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) through the Library of Congress. He relished his craft and took joy in shaping spaces that reflected the character and needs of the people who would fill them. After moving to Sandpoint, Bill designed numerous custom homes and a range of commercial buildings that still bear his unmistakable touch. He took pride in owning every detail of the design process, guiding clients thoughtfully from the first sketch to the final build. Bill poured countless hours into helping his clients truly see their future homes and was known for bringing a finely tuned sense of space and scale to his design with each floorplan expertly drafted by hand. A fixture of Sandpoint's Old Powerhouse building, he was admired for his integrity, humor, and his oft-repeated belief that, "If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life."

Beyond architecture, Bill was a gifted artist and author. His watercolors often featuring Sandpoint landmarks, brick facades, and historic storefronts captured both precision and soul. He also worked in sculpture and found object art, and his creative works appeared in regional exhibits. Bill illustrated A Kid's Guide to Building Forts and authored A Kid's Guide to Finding Good Stuff, highlighting his love of creating something new from others' waste aka dumpster diving. In 2004, he was honored as the Sandpoint Festival Poster Artist, an award that reflected his deep commitment to Sandpoint Arts.

Bill took great joy in his family. He was a patient and playful father who encouraged his children to follow their curiosity and create with their hands. Whether building forts in the backyard, sketching side-by-side, or sharing stories over the dinner table, he made everyday moments memorable. He taught his children the value of hard work, knowing right from wrong, and keeping their commitments. His humor, gentle guidance, and steadfast love shaped not only his children but also his grandchildren, who adored their "Papa Bill."

Bill truly loved Sandpoint and felt deeply connected to its people and spirit. He enjoyed mentoring young art students, spending time with friends and neighbors, and was always eager to share the latest news about what was happening around town. Ever active, he could be found swimming daily at the Sandpoint Athletic Club or wandering the aisles of the library in search of books he may or may not have already read.

Though not a man of many words, Bill had a knack for humor; his quick jokes, twinkling eyes, and easy smile said more than words ever could. A cornerstone of his Euclid Avenue neighborhood, Bill was a kind and caring neighbor. He was always willing to lend a hand, support a friend in need and on a few rare occasions provide feedback on the time dinner was going to be ready. His house at that time was full of art up to the point where his art projects sometimes posed more risk than decoration. Bill loved to connect people. A great example of this was "Bowling with Bill" that became a standard event for many of the community turning strangers into friends.





Bill is survived by his children Abbie, Cy (Lisa), Slade (Melissa) and their mother Allegra Gay Klein; his brothers John (Joyce) Klein and Jim (Imelda) Klein; and his grandchildren Everlyn, Shepard, and Lyla.

Bill's legacy lives on in the spaces he designed, the art he created, and the love he shared. His family and friends will miss him deeply and remember him always.

The family is gathering privately and a celebration of life will be held at a later date in Sandpoint, Idaho.