William Ross Malzahn

GRANGER - William (Bill) Ross Malzahn, 85, of Granger died Monday February 24, 2025.
Bill was born February 1, 1940, in Yakima, Washington. His parents, Robert and Christine
(Schell) Malzahn, raised him in Toppenish, Washington, with his younger sister and brother,
Janice (Malzahn) Sinner and Preston Malzahn. He married Renee' LaPierre September 30,
1960.
Bill worked for U&I Sugar Company at their Toppenish plant until it closed in 1979. He then
worked at the Yakima Bait Company as a machinist until he retired in 2002. Bill was a member
of the Toppenish Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Washington National Guard, and the Lower
Valley Canyon Crawlers (a Jeep Club in Sunnyside).
Early on, Bill had a passion for fishing and hunting; however, once he had grandkids, they
became his primary passion. He attended all the grandkids activities. Sports, dance, singing, or
whatever-he was there for them.
Bill and Renee enjoyed their retirement years. They continued fishing and often took grandkids
along. Later on, Bill and Renee' were convinced to go on an Alaskan cruise and were instantly
hooked. They went on perhaps a dozen cruises all over the world.
Bill is survived by his wife Renee' of Granger; two sons, Vincent Malzahn (wife, Frances) of
Granger, and Robert Malzahn of Granger; and his daughter, Michelle (Malzahn) Heitzman of
Granger. He is also survived by his loving Grandchildren Trevor Heitzman, Dakota Heitzman,
Sierra (Heitzman) Thomas (husband, Jason), and Natalie Malzahn. And he is survived by his
sister, Janice (Malzahn) Sinner, and his brother, Preston Malzahn.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Christine Malzahn.
The viewing will be held at 4 PM, Wednesday, March 5, at Valley Hills Funeral Home in
Zillah. Recitation of the rosary will follow at 6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday,
March 6, at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Parish, Zillah, with Fr. Michael Ibach presiding. Following
the mass will be a light lunch served in the parrish hall. Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Lower Valley Memorial Garden.
Valley Hills Funeral Home of Zillah has been entrusted with the arrangements.