William Criswell

William A. (Bill) Criswell rode into the sunset Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 9:00 p.m. He was at elk hunting camp in the Blue Mountains with his long time friends, Dane Dunford and Terry Frei. He had a heart attack but Dane and Terry were unable to revive him.

Bill was born April 6, 1948, in Orofino, Idaho, to Bob and Nona Criswell. They moved to Almota when Bill was in the 6th grade. He became quick friends with Dane when they attended Gladish school.

After graduation he took welding at Spokane Community College and was hired by McGregor Co. in 1967, where he was respected for 47 years.

He married Lona Dye in 1967 and welcomed daughter Kim that same year. Their son Blaine was born in 1970, which is the year they moved to Klemgard Park which they managed for 45 years. Bill was a past member of Ewartsville Grange and a director for the Palouse Empire Rodeo and Junior Rodeo, where he worked the catch pen for 30 years.

He will be terribly missed by many and especially his friends who camped in the pasture each deer season, their neighbors and dear friends, Penny and Jerry Gilchrist and Dane's wife and dear friend, Diane.

Bill was a simple, hard working, down to Earth good ol' boy. He admired his children for their accomplishments and loved watching his five grandchildren grow and experience life.

How do you explain 70 years of life? He enjoyed mowing grass, horses, rodeo, children, pinochle, travel and food that wasn't good for him!

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lona; daughter Kim (Tim Sutherland and Zach), son Blaine (Amy), Blake, Abbey, Cayssica and Grant; his sisters, Bev Yates, Judy Criswell (Butch Louch), and his brother, Pete (Linda). Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Nona Criswell, and by a brother-in-law, Don Yates. The family suggests memorial gifts be to the Colfax Jr. Rodeo or the Palouse Empire Fair Rodeo grandstand project.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, November 12th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Plymouth Congregational Church with Pastors Lynn Nelson and Bob Ingalls officiating. Burial will follow in the Colfax Cemetery. On-line guest book is at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com.

Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family.