William Wallace "Bill" Deal

1936 - 2024

Nampa - William Wallace "Bill" Deal was born in Boise, Idaho on December 7, 1936 to Nell Matthews Deal and Homer Steeves Deal. Bill spent the summers of his youth in McCall boating, working, golfing, and waterskiing. Homer and Nell purchased one of the first speed boats on Payette Lake. Bill, his brother Steve, and friends skied every day on waterskis they created and baked in Nell's oven. He won the McCall waterski tournament two times and was offered a spot at the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Show in Florida.

Bill graduated from Boise High in 1955, served as Senior Class President and played on many BHS sports teams with golf being his favorite. Bill was a scratch golfer, a sport he enjoyed his entire life.

In the fall of 1955, Bill became a University of Idaho Vandal, pledged Beta Theta Pi and met Joanie Ferris. They both say it was love at first sight. Joan and Bill were married December 22,1958 in Joan's hometown of Lewiston and graduated later that year. U of I was where many of their lifelong friendships were made.

Bill and Joan began their life together with adventure, driving across the country to Fort Benning, Georgia and later Fort Jackson, South Carolina, for service in the U.S. Army. During their Army tenure, historic world events were underway, construction of the Berlin Wall, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the beginning of U.S. engagement in Viet Nam and the Civil Rights movement.

A love for Idaho and family brought Bill and Joan back home. Bill began his insurance career as a Division Agency manager moving from Boise to Coeur d'Alene to Provo, Utah. A growing family and a desire for community lead Bill and Joan to purchase the W.W. Deal Agency in Nampa from his Uncle Edson Deal founded in 1932 by his father Homer Deal. For forty-six years, Bill was a leading insurance agent and agency principal in Idaho. He advocated for insurance standards as President

of the Big I, Chairman of the Board for the Idaho State Insurance Fund and was appointed by Governor Butch Otter as the Director of the Idaho State Department of Insurance. Bill served as Director for eight years and was proud of his department and their commitment to superior service.

In 1991, Bill was elected to the Idaho State House of Representatives and served sixteen years including service as Chairman of the State Affairs Committee, a "go to" member of the Business Committee, Co Chair and founding member of the Healthcare Task Force, High Risk Pool Board, Member of the Idaho Endowment Board and The PERSI Board (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho). He was instrumental in passing Workmen's Compensation legislation for Idaho Agricultural workers. Bill was committed to helping Idaho work well for Idahoans.

Bill and Joan valued the community of Nampa and our State of Idaho. Bill was a past President of Rotary and honored with the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship on 2 occasions, honored with NNU's Emerson Award, U Of I Alumni President, Member of the Arid Club (4th longest tenured member) He was a lifelong Methodist. He and Joan headed the MYF group in Boise and Bill was Finance Chairman for the Nampa Methodist Church.

Bill gave thirty-three years of time and energy to the Snake River Stampede and its Board of Directors. Serving as President three times and helping to envision and create the Ford Idaho Center where the Snake River Stampede moved after its long tenure in the "Green Queen" near Lakeview Park. The Deal family loved the western way of life and bought horses to ride in Treasure Valley horse parades, this led to 4-H club membership and then showing horses around the west. Many summers were spent traveling by motor home and horse trailer to Tulsa, OK for the Junior World AQHA Finals representing Idaho.

In retirement, Bill and Joan have kept very busy enjoying grandchildren, card games, water aerobics and communities they love in both McCall and Desert Hot Springs.

Bill is survived by Joan Deal, his wife of 66 years, brother, Steve Deal (Dolora) of Sun Valley, brother in law, John Ferris (Mindy) of Ashland, Ore; brother in law, Frank Keenan of Pocatello, daughter, Ferris Deal

Goul (Ashley) of Boise, Sons; Bill Deal III (Tirana) of Nampa, Shawn Deal of Middleton and Burke Deal (Kathy) of Homedale. Grandchildren, Paxton Deal (Jakobee), Katie Ann Deal, Jake Deal (Robin), Harley Goul Brinkman (Cole), Kelton Deal, Drew Deal, great granddaughter, Josie June Deal and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill is preceded in death by his sister Margaret Deal Keenan.

Memorials: Please donate to a favorite charity or to the following family favorites; PEO Chapter House-Caldwell, Boys & Girls Club of Nampa, Homedale Baseball, The Rock-Homedale.

A Reception to Celebrate Bill Deal's Life will be held Friday, Dec. 13 from 2pm to 5pm, at the Arid Club Boise. Arrangements by Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book and full obituary is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com