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FUNERAL HOME

FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home

1637 Esmeralda Place

Minden, Nevada

WILLIAM DOWNEY Obituary

WILLIAM DOWNEY William "Bill" Downey passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at his home in Genoa, Nev. Bill was a native Nevadan, born in Henderson, May 31, 1954, and lived in Las Vegas until 2005, when he retired to live in northern Nevada. Bill was a member of the Operating Engineers Union and the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved the outdoors. Bill loved his family, leaving his wife, Nancy Cannon Downey; sons, Ryan and Tyler Downey; daughter-in-law, Shelley; stepkids, Kayli and Brett Bjornsen; and the "apple of his eye," granddaughter, Sierra Rylley Downey. Bill is also survived by his sister, Helen; brother-in-law, Larry Scheffler; his brother, John Downey, and their families. Service will be at 4 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Palm Mortuary, 800 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, with family and friends gathering to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Carson Valley Trails Association, P.O. Box 222, Minden, NV 89423, or American Heart Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Las Vegas Review-Journal from Jul. 21 to Jul. 22, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM DOWNEY

14 Entries

July 31, 2012

Nancy, Helen, John and families,
I was shocked when I got the call from Larry of the passing of Bill. He, like his parents, was so special, what a loss. You all have our deepest sympathy.
Love, Dave and Joyce Downey
Springfield, Illinois

Marilyn Smith

July 26, 2012

Nancy, Helen, John, Ryan, Tyler and families,
Our sympathy to all. Bill had a smile (like his mother and
father) to warm the hearts of all. I have great memories of
vacations as kids and visits later in life with Bill. He always
had great things to say about his
family. I was happy to learn that he had a grandchild to enjoy at the end of his life. Love and peace be with you.

Randy & Cathy Micklin

July 24, 2012

My first memories of a friend are of Bill, as we grew up together remaining close throughout our lives. Beginning as very young children to our last conversation just a couple days before his passing, leaving many wonderful memories and so many stories I wouldn't know where to begin. Bill may be gone but will never be forgotten, he will be sorely missed, may he now and forever rest in peace.

There's just not enough words to convey our sincerest condolences to the family, our thoughts are with all of you.

July 24, 2012

To Bills family, so sorry about your loss. Bill always had a smile and good things to say about others. I know Bill was a great son-in-law to the Senator and the family and will be missed.

Fidel Salazar

Denise (Chambers) Watson

July 24, 2012

oh wow...i am just still in shock...Helen and Bill lived behind me in Henderson...Helen and I often ditched the little brother..my heart goes out to the family.

Daniel Lee

July 23, 2012

Sorry to hear of Bills passing. Hope all is well with you Helen

Sue & Barry morris

July 23, 2012

It is wonderful to have a life time of memories with Bill and his family. I often teased Bill I was going to bill him for my medical advise. My first memory of Bill is when I took care of his dad at St Rose. He has been a life time friend and my memories of Bill will never fail.
Our hearts go out to his family, Bill was very lucky to have such a wonderful wife and kids. He will be greatly missed .

Robert Crawford

July 23, 2012

I didn't keep in touch with Bill after high school. I only remember him as being a good citizen and friend to anyone willing to return the gesture. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Dennis Rosch

July 23, 2012

Bill's family, I knew Bill from the day he was born. He was one of my favorite students, and I taught him how to drive and took him on one of his first deer hunts. He had a blessed life. Brother Randy and I will miss him a lot. I never saw Bill without a smile. I'm so sorry he left us so young. Dennis Rosch, Bend, Oregon

Linda Freeman

July 23, 2012

My earliest memories of friends were Helen and Bill Downey, Vicki Martin and Donna Gove. We all grew up by each other on Nebraska or nearby. Climbing trees, walking fences, building forts in our backyard, playing baseball in the alley and making a great team collecting Christmas Trees for our fort. We were a team of good kids with good parents and I was lucky to grow up with them. All the girls had crushes on Bill and I was the lucky one who got to be his friend. It is a very sad part of growing old when you lose your lifelong friends and the Watsons say a very tearful goodbye to you Bill. You will be missed by many.

Linda Freeman

July 23, 2012

My first memories of friends were, Helen, Bill, Donna and Vicky. My brother Gary and I were very lucky to grow up on Nebraska and have such wonderful good kids as friends to grow up with. We used to build forts in the backyard, climb fences and trees and play baseball in the alley. We were a good team gathering up Christmas Trees for our fort. All the girls had crushes on Bill in school and I was the lucky one to be his friend. Growing up is hard when you have to lose the special people in our lives and Bill will leave a void. The Watsons say goodbye with tears.

Al Lane

July 23, 2012

Nancy and Family, I wasn't able to keep in touch with Bill after High School much, but but my High School experience was defined by Bills friendship and smile. Nothing but good memories of him. May God Bless all of you during this difficult time.

Martha Ward

July 22, 2012

Nancy, Helen, John, Ryan, Tyler and all,
Can't find words to say how sorry I was to hear that Bill has left us all. As my first cousin I knew him when he was a baby and while we were kids growing up. I am glad I got to spend some good times with him after we were adults, he grew to be a wonderful man, husband and father. I never got to see him as often as I wanted to. Love and sympathy to all of you.

Paul Ruth

July 21, 2012

Nancy, Helen, John, Ryan and Tyler and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Bills passing. Bill was one of my best friends in high school. We shared many great times together. My favorite memory was when we starred in the Senior Class play together. The rehearsal and lead up to those two nights might have been my best 5 weeks in high school, and Bill was a big reason why. He will really be missed. I am glad I got a chance to speak with him recently. My greatest condolences.

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