William R. "Bill" SLEETH

1925 - 2020

William R. "Bill" SLEETH obituary, 1925-2020, Spokane, WA

William R. "Bill" SLEETH

1925 - 2020

BORN

1925

DIED

2020

William SLEETH Obituary

Visit the Legacy Remembers website to view the full obituary.
SLEETH, William R. "Bill" (Age 95) William R. "Bill" Sleeth entered into rest May 30, 2020. Born in Spokane February 7, 1925 to Harry and Verree Sleeth. Bill graduated from Lewis and Clark, served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. Thereafter he attended WSU where he met and later married Mary Bea Corkery, who passed away two years ago after 69 years of marriage. Bill owned and operated Northwest Distributors, a beer and wine distributorship, for 50 years which he sold in 1995 and retired. During retirement Bill and Mary Bea enjoyed traveling, spent many years in Mexico with their Spokane friends, and continued to enjoy snow skiing and their cabin at Sandpoint. He also had great times with his golf buddies at Hangman Valley where he was a charter member. Bill enjoyed volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and delivering for Meals on Wheels with Mary Bea. Throughout his life Bill was an avid athlete and later coach. He excelled in football and track at LC (he was always a proud Tiger) and at age 54 set a world age group record in the decathlon in Montreal, Canada. He ran the first 17 Bloomsdays until his knees gave out. Bill was a give back person and volunteered as a football and track coach at Our Lady of Fatima and a track coach at Ferris HS and Spokane Community Colleges. Bill was recognized for his achievements and community dedication when he was selected in 1996 to run a leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. Bill liked people and people liked Bill. He had an infectious smile and a welcoming personality that could make an instant friend of anyone. He will be dearly missed. Bill is survived by his loving family; sons Bill (Mary Ann) Sleeth of Spokane and Paul (Laurin) Sleeth of Issaquah, WA. and daughter Molly Sleeth (husband Lee Windham) Spokane, son-in-law Bob Eager of Wishkah, WA.; 10 grandchildren, four great grandchildren Preceded in death by a daughter Muffy Eager and her and Bob's son Brian. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics or Union Gospel Mission. To leave an online condolence to Bill's family and to check for updated service information, please visit our website at www.HennesseyFuneralHomes.com.

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June 12, 2020

Dave Klyzek posted to the memorial.

June 10, 2020

kathleen h haskell posted to the memorial.

June 4, 2020

Garry Kenney posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Dave Klyzek

June 12, 2020

I coached track at SCC in the late 70s and early 80s. We had all-comer track meets as part of a summer track camp. Mr. Sleeth used to compete in these meets and I always saw him in the shotput where he was quite good. I used to see him training on different events during the week and I was always thrilled to see the energy he had. I saw him working in grocery stores a few times with that same energy. He was always so positive about everything. I enjoyed those years immensely. Doesn't surprise me he has lived so long.

kathleen h haskell

June 10, 2020

i really enjoy taking care of bill we had some good laugh.i am so sorry for the family loss my the lord be with you at this sad time . Kathy

Garry Kenney

June 4, 2020

Billy Jr. was my best friend in 7th and 8th grade and a bit beyond. I cherish those years. His mom was always kind and caring. His sisters (Molly and Muffy) were nice. His little brother Paul was entertaining. His dad, Bill Senior, RIP, inspired and influenced me well beyond the few and precious years that I spent hanging out with the Sleeth family. Bill Senior was our football coach at Fatima grade school. He taught us to love and respect the game and each other, and to play hard, smart, and tough. Those were memorable and formative years. One summer while in high school, I worked on the delivery route stocking beer. I learned that paying bills was more important than taking breaks. A good lesson to learn. Bill Sr. had a good sense of humor. He was kind but tough and always fun to be around. I do recall those one-hand pushups. I also remember his taking interest in our interest in track-related sports. He would take the time to be the timekeeper for Billy and I as we would race around 56th and Perry streets up to Manito golf course and back. My heart-felt condolences to the family. I am grateful for the life of my best friends dad. Garry Kenney

Dan Corkery

June 4, 2020

Uncle Bill
One of the nicest and most genuine and devoted persons we had the privilege to know and be associated with. There was never a time when Bill did not have a big smile on his face and a humorous quip to make you laugh. I never heard him say a negative thing about anyone. I am going to really miss my conversations with him during my trips to Spokane- he was so entertaining and full of life.
DAN CORKERY

Washington State

June 4, 2020

Thank you for your service to our country. Rest In Peace.

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Hennessey Funeral Home & Crematory - Division Street

2203 North Division Street, Spokane, WA 99207

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Sign William SLEETH's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

June 12, 2020

Dave Klyzek posted to the memorial.

June 10, 2020

kathleen h haskell posted to the memorial.

June 4, 2020

Garry Kenney posted to the memorial.