William Charles Neary Jr.

Bill Neary passed on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, after a brave battle with esophageal cancer.

Bill was born in Los Angeles, CA in 1940 and lived most of his young life there.  He graduated from St. John Vianney High School in Los Angeles.  Bill was an athlete and was a submarine south paw baseball pitcher who was heavily scouted by the pros.  On the day of his first minor league try-out, Bill was hospitalized with a life-threatening medical emergency that would later result in the end of his baseball career.  

He and his family spent several years in North Carolina and then went back to California.  In 1977, Bill moved his family to Lewiston, Idaho to manage a Sambo’s and be closer to his passion of hunting and fishing.   Bill and a partner then opened the Corner Pocket in Lewiston in 1978 and it soon became a popular place to enjoy life in the valley.  

Bill loved Lewiston and became an active member of the community, running for City Council and serving on the Parks & Recreation Board for several years.  With his love of baseball, he was also the announcer at the LCSC World Series for many years.  A beloved father, husband and friend to many in Lewiston and beyond, he is survived by his wife Lynn Neary, her daughter Aleisha Taranto, his sister Joanne, sons Chris, Bob, and Mike and his grandchildren Zachary and Alexa.

A celebration of life will be held at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home located at 920 21st Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501 on March 23rd at 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, loving gifts of donation can be made to the “Bill-Neary-Memorial” fund at www.gofundme.com.  People may share memories or express condolences at www.vassar-rawls.com/obituaries.