William H. Blume

Bill was born June 22, 1933, in Arlington, Kan., to William and Velma Blume. He loved to tell his children that he started riding a tractor at the age of 4 on the family farm. He met the love of his life and forever partner, Maryln Rush, in high school. Bill graduated from Arlington High School and went to college at Kansas State on a baseball scholarship for two years before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Following his stint in the Army, Bill went back to finish his degree at the University of Kansas, graduating in 1962.

Bill and Maryln were married June 10, 1956, in Haviland, Kan. They had four children, David, Douglas, Mary and Sandra. Bill taught junior high school physical education in Overland Park, Kan., before moving his family to Auburn and Porterville, Calif., where he was a franchise owner in the Rasco Tempo Stores. In 1970, the family moved to Lewiston where Bill and Maryln opened the Rasco Tempo Store in the Lewiston Shopping Center. Bill answered his teaching calling once again in 1974, when he was hired by the Lewiston School District as the elementary school P.E. teacher. Following that, he spent several years teaching social studies and coaching boys basketball at Sacajawea Jr. High School, retiring in 1998. After retiring, his passion became gardening, especially old English roses.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Maryln of Lewiston; sons, Dave (Diane) of Elk Grove, Calif., Doug (Robin) of Clarkston; daughters, Mary of Lewiston and Sandy of Clarkston. Also surviving him are three sisters, Jean Craig of Arroyo Grande, Calif., Margie Feola of Merritt, Fla., and Joanne Kuchenbecker of Kettering, Ohio; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at noon Sept. 25 at the Congregational-Presbyterian Church.

Bill was a loving husband and father. He spent many years following his beloved Jayhawks. Rock Chalk.