William Roy "Bill" Weech

1944 - 2024

Nampa - William Roy Weech, also affectionately known as "Uncle Bill" to many in his community, passed away from this life and into the loving embrace of his Heavenly Father on May 18, 2024 as a result of heart failure.

Bill was born on March 10, 1944, in Boise, Idaho, to Lang and Teresa Weech. He was raised in Nampa, Idaho, and gained an early appreciation for the great outdoors of Idaho and all it had to offer. Along with his childhood best friend, Albert, Bill spent his youth hunting and fishing Canyon and Owyhee counties, cementing a lifelong love for the land, natural resources, and history of the area.

In 1966, Bill volunteered for the United States Marine Corps, with basic training taking place at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in San Diego, California. Bill was deployed to Vietnam late in 1966 and stationed near Hoi An at Marble Mountain. In the early morning of January 15, 1967, the Marine encampment there was overrun by a massive Vietcong and NVA attack, with the Marines being outnumbered 8:1. Bill was severely wounded, suffering multiple gunshot wounds in addition to being hit by mortar shrapnel and being blown out of a bunker by a satchel charge. He hovered on the edge of death for a considerable time before being found by corpsman. The severity of Bill's injuries significantly altered the course of his life and many who met him consider his initial and long-term survival nothing short of a miracle.

After extensive surgery in theatre and in the Philippines, Bill was sent to Bremerton Naval Hospital in Bremerton, Washington, to recuperate. When he was sufficiently healthy to occasionally leave the hospital, he wandered into a local tavern where he met a former Army MP named David Tinney. They had a lot in common and became fast friends. David subsequently introduced Bill to his sister, Patricia, a schoolteacher at a local elementary school. Patricia was to be the love of Bill's life and they married in November of 1967. In March 1970, he and Patrica welcomed their son into the world. Being a father brought great joy to Bill, and it was a role he took very seriously, teaching and mentoring his son in all facets of life.

Bill was raised largely outside of organized religion, and early in his adult life considered himself an atheist. However, his initial recovery and ongoing improvements to his health left him wondering why he had lived, and others did not. Was it possible that he was a part of something bigger than himself? That his healing had a purpose he did not understand? In 1974, Bill made the decision to accept the gift of salvation and gave himself completely to Christ.

The Weech family attended various churches in subsequent years, but in 1982 they found their permanent church home at Nampa's Christian Faith Center. Partnered with Pat, he served in many capacities at CFC, including terms on the church board, teaching classes, hosting small groups, and various other lay leadership roles. Bill's quiet but consistent witness, generosity, and servant leadership impacted many lives over the years.

Bill became a grandpa in 1995 with the birth of Heather and then again in 2000 with the birth of Brennan. He adored his grandchildren and shaped their lives in meaningful and unique ways. He took Heather on adventures to the "Wild Wild West" of the Snake River Country, and taught Brennan proper appreciation for the finer points of popcorn and Looney Tunes.

In recent years, Bill enjoyed reconnecting with his USMC past, attending multiple reunions of the "Mike 3/1" as well as meeting every Thursday for breakfast with his local Marine buddies Gary and Bob among others. In 2014, Bill was honored to serve as the Grand Marshall for Boise's Veterans Day Parade.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Lang Charles, mother Teresa , brothers Edwin, sister Audrey, and niece Sabrina. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Patricia; his son Jonathan (Cara) of Star; his granddaughter Heather Fairgrieve (Riley) of Boise, and his grandson Brennan (Desirae Welk) of Chicago.

If Bill made a difference in your life and you would like to do something in his name, the family suggests donations to one of the following: CFC Kingdom Builders Mission OR Treasure Valley Detachment #878 Marine Corps League, P.O. Box 45874, Boise, ID 83711-5874

A Celebration of his life with Military Honors by the USMC will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Christian Faith Center, 31 S. Midland Blvd., Nampa. A private burial will be held in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements by Nampa Funeral Home Yraguen Chapel where an online guest book and full obit is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com