William D. Barkell

1930 - 2016

William D. Barkell (Bill)
1930 - 2016
William D. Barkell (Bill) passed away from complications from Pulmonary Fibrosis on July 7, 2016.
Bill was born in Burns, WY, January 17, 1930 to Anna Marie Burrows-Barkell and Dale William Barkell. He moved to Boise in 1935 with his parents and brother, Donald Barkell.
In 1950, Bill married the love of his life, Carole Chambers and moved to Stibnite, ID where he was employed as a diamond drill assistant for Bradley Mining Co. until it shut down in 1957 at which time he and his wife returned to Boise.
During his Franklin High School years he worked at a local dairy farm and as a plow farmer on the very land that he would eventually have his home. Bill was employed with Zamzow's Feed and Seed in Boise and Meridian, where he became manager and served as the President of the Board of Directors. Bill was an active member of the Meridian Chapter FFA, where he often attended and organized the annual Fat Stock Sale at the Western Idaho State Fair. Bill served on the Board of Directors as the Sec. Treasurer for the Idaho Feed and Grain Dealers from 1983 to 1988. Bill was also an active member of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce where he served on the Board of Directors and was honored by the board as Meridian's Man of the Year in 1991 and was awarded a President's Award in 1997.
He retired from Zamzow's in 1987 and began traveling in his motorhome with his wife and dog(s). When he wasn't traveling he could easily be found at his second love, Meridian Speedway - cheering on his favorite racers, many of whom became his friends. He also enjoyed his Boise State Broncos on Saturdays and his Denver Broncos on Sundays.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother, Don. Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Carole; his 6 children, Kathy Kunasek (Robert), Bill Barkell (Nancy), Patty Ann Malone (Cecil), JoLynn Tracy (Craig D.), Kevin Barkell (Laurie) and April Darr (Matt); 13 grandchildren and their significant others; 14 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be held at Meridian Speedway on July 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Lung Association in his honor. Condolences can be left at http://www.cremationsociety-idaho.com/obituaries/William-Dale-Barkell-4632629138/