Billy Frank Luginbill

January 12, 1942 - October 18, 2024

Kennewick, Washington - Billy Luginbill, always up for an adventure--and with no hospital available--took his first breath on January 12, 1942 in a now historic motel in smalltown Seligman, Arizona. In the space of a few years, Billy was toddling off to an adventuresome life in Barstow, Calif., where he made lifelong friends and formed a deep love for the Mohave Desert.

Tall and lanky, basketball found Bill and his path forward through Barstow High School (1960), Barstow Junior College and California Baptist College (CBU) in Riverside where he had been recruited on a sports scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Voted the Best Looking Senior, he caught the eye of Lucy Luginbill and they married August 13, 1965 promising to always kiss goodnight and goodbye each day. Daughters Traci Dawn (1969) and Tiffany Beth (1972) completed their circle of love.

Bill's first teaching jobs were at Barstow High School and Kennedy High School. But after 10 years and tenured, the pull of the Northwest was strong. So in 1978, equipped with a Masters Degree (California State University San Bernardino), he bravely moved his family to Kennewick, Wash., without the promise of a job. Providentially, he was immediately hired at Kamiakin High School where he taught social sciences for 26 years and coached boys and girls basketball--experiences he loved.

Armed with a job in their new community--and not much money--next came another exploit. Bill, who'd moved a water heater once, figured he could build a house nail by nail on 5 acres in Badger Canyon. The family home stands today as a testament to his strength, determination and courage. In time, the man became the land as he planted trees, gardened, mowed, and raised beef cattle. In between, he helped with new construction at Columbia Community Church where a slide off the steep metal roof deepened his faith in God. He also taught adult Sunday School and was Chairman of the Board for several terms until he realized it conflicted with bird and deer hunting.

An avid hunter, fisherman, canoer, scuba diver, bicyclist, camper and backpacker, Bill experienced the northwest with family and friends. Highlights were the Seattle to Portland Bike Race three times, a month-long trip as rafting crew on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and bicycling the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes in tandem with Lucy. Road trips together-- "backseat driving" included--cruises, and destination flights created many travel adventures in the USA, Mexico and Europe that could fill a storybook of memories.

Bill's legacy is "the farm" and his family: Wife Lucy Luginbill, daughter Traci LaRosa (Eddie), daughter Tiffany Wallach (Elliott), grandchildren Justin Hepler and Ashley (Hepler) Cosenza, Hunter and Hailey LaRosa, Luke and Joshua Wallach, Jessica Otero, (Steven), greatgrandchildren Ethan Hepler, Enzo and Emma Otero, Paisley Rose, Sutton Lucille and Collins Birdie Cosenza. All love him deeply and hold special memories in their hearts. He also leaves behind brothers Ron Luginbill (Barbara) of Lake Roseger, Wash., Jim Luginbill (Cindy) and Bob Luginbill (Ollie) of Amarillo, Texas and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin (Bill) and Marjorie Luginbill and his best friend, Ted Baca of Barstow, California.

Billy's most heroic feat was walking through cancer of the appendix for 9 years with an amazing attitude. Following each of his 5 surgeries, he was known as "the running man", often wearing his Superman shirt and cape, determined to walk and recover. His words, "Good morning, Gorgeous!" greeted Lucy every single day until his voice fell silent. Billy took his last breath before dawn on October 18, 2024 with his wife of 59 years by his side as he left on the greatest adventure of all with Jesus. We can only imagine.

Note: Upon Bill's request there will be no formal service. Instead, there will be a public remembrance to honor him with a tree planting in 2025. Sign and share memories in the Guestbook at www.hillcrestfunerals.com/

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

Published by Tri-City Herald from Dec. 5 to Dec. 8, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Billy Luginbill

15 Entries

Don and Sharon Bixel

January 25, 2025

Our friendship with Lucy and Bill began when we met because we lived in the same apartment building in Riverside, CA. We learned that we had both just gotten married and they were married on August 13, 1965 and Don and I were married on August 20, 1965, just one week apart. When Bill and Lucy moved to a house, we found one on the same block. Then a year or so later they moved to Barstow where Bill got his teaching job. We also had our first and second children just a couple months apart in the same year. They drove up to where we lived in Salem, OR when Traci was just about 6 weeks old for a visit in 1969. Bill and Don had so much fun cracking jokes and talking about hunting and fishing. Even after we moved to PA we kept in touch and would visit each other many times. We so admired the house that Bill built and all the work they did there on the farm. As we each approached our 50th wedding anniversary, we shared special hopes and dreams together. When we learned of Bill's cancer, we lifted him in prayer daily to the Lord for His miraculous care. And now we are lifting Lucy as she grieves the loss of this amazing man. Our hearts grieve with you Lucy. But it is really wonderful to know that he is free of pain now and enjoying the delights of heaven.

Maggie

December 20, 2024

When I think of Bill, it´s through the lens of a husband to LucyHe was so loving of her but he also put her into some interesting situations because of his love of the outdoors and adventure but my friend Lucy, in true grit would rise to the occasion....camping trips off the grid... They seemed to be opposites but were really soul mates, with a love for adventure and making dreams possible. God blessed their union with loyalty and deep faith. Bill was a loving husband, now he´s resting in God´s loving spirit

Camilla Lockard

December 9, 2024

I can´t remember a time in my life where Bill,Lucy and the girls weren´t part of our family. He had the best stories. I loved that he and the gang (including my dad, Duane Garner) were always hunting, fishing, driving to Hermiston or planning a new adventure! He will be so missed by so many people. Blessings to his entire family

Shalawn

December 9, 2024

Best basketball coach and teacher I ever had. He was the most caring man and had such a great sense of humor. He knew how to go with flow but also keep us on track. He will be missed.

Lance Groom

December 9, 2024

Thanks for being such a great guy and for the friendship with my family when we were just kids and new in the area. You will be missed. -Lance Groom

Karen Sicks Thomas

December 8, 2024

Blessed in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his saints. While probably not a saint in the strictest sense of the word, this retelling of Bill´s life was so filled with humor it helps alleviate the sorrow of his passing.
With deepest condolences to the family from an old Barstow friend class of `61.

Jim Ramsey

December 8, 2024

His sense of humor was outstanding always a hit in the old teachers lounge. Love ya Bill you will. Be missed

SHERYL BERNASCONI

December 8, 2024

I CALLED MY 1ST HUSBAND LEONARD PURDY A WHILE AGO. HE'D HEARD BILL HAD DIED & TOLD ME HE'D GONE TO SCHOOL WITH BILL STARTING FROM KINDERGARDEN UNTIL THEY GRADUATED IN 1960. HE DOESN'T HAVE FACEBOOK BUT HIS WIFE PAULETTE (DOUGLAS) PURDY DOES AS DO OUR KIDS. PRAYERS FOR LUCY & ALL OF HIS/THEIR FAMILY. AS A 47 YEAR CHRISTIAN THIS MONTH (ME) KNOWING BILL WAS A CHRISTIAN BLESSES ME & I'M SURE LOTS OF OTHERS TOO. SHERYL (HOLLAND, PURDY) BERNASCONI.

Larry Carpenter

December 8, 2024

I remember Bill as a fellow History Classmate and Graduate of the Class of 1965, California Baptist College. I remember him also as a member of the Lancer Basketball Team.

Jan Tyree Scudder

December 8, 2024

Bill and I met at Cal Baptist College and became friends .I have wonderful memories of him. He was always so nice and supportive. I pray for his family as I know how much he will be missed. Blessings to you all.

Tom Humphrey

December 8, 2024

I´m truly sorry for his passing had good times hunting in eastern Washington with bill my uncle and my dad wish I would of had more years to hunt with bill and dad I´ll always cherish the story´s they shared

The Friehauf family

Planted Trees

Susie Luginbill Little

December 8, 2024

My cousin Billy...I was so little my memories of him were mostly of how very tall he looked to me, and how handsome he was. He looked so much like his Dad, my Uncle Junior. Billy was one in a million. He was loved by many, and will be missed by all.

Kristi and Rob Privette

December 6, 2024

What a Super Man! He was the epitome of determination and strength as he battled cancer and he clearly deserved his Superman cape. He had a great sense of humor and could tell a story that kept everyone on the edge of their seat.
There was no better role model for students than Billy with his kind and caring attitude.
Most of all Billy showed by his words and actions his deep and abiding love for Lucy and his family. He lived his life to the fullest and loved beyond measure.
He will be a welcome addition to Heaven!

Brenda Still

December 6, 2024

We need more men like Bill Luginbill, but he was one of a kind! If you knew him, you were blessed.

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