William Warren Gunnell

William Warren Gunnell, age 84, a 52-year resident of Othello, passed away Monday, August 16, 2004 in Othello, Wash.

Bill was born January 10, 1920 in Blue Creek, Utah to Lorenzo Brown Gunnell and Lila Fern Hendricks. He spent his childhood in Howell, Utah and attended and graduated from Bear River High School in Tremonton, Utah. After high school he served a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Central States mission.

Soon after his mission, he met our mother, Mary Elizabeth Burleson and attained a job with Boeing Air Force base in Wichita, Kan. Mary and Bill were married May 2, 1942. In October of 1942, he entered the United States Air Force and served for two years.

After living in Ogden, Utah for seven years, they moved to Othello where they raised eight children, and a girl from Iran lived with them for a year. Bill was a mechanic but farmed most of his life. He was very active in his church and held numerous church callings, including three Bishoprics. Bill and Mary enjoyed serving a mission for the church in San Jose, Calif.

He was a big tease but a very generous and loving friend and father who will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Gunnell, his parents, one granddaughter, and four great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by: one son, Ren (Glenda) Gunnell of Soap Lake, Wash.; seven daughters, Sheral (Harold) James of Pasco, Wash., Carol (Ron) Johnston of Ogden, Linda (Brice) Gurney of Nova Scotia, Canada, Joan (Stuart) Hall of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Debbie (Bruce) Pugsley of Park Valley, Utah, Vickie (Ken) Meldrum of Richland, Wash., Donna (Dan) Phillips of Richland, and Iranian daughter, Lilly Kennedy of Portland, Ore.; three sisters, Arlene Anderson, Shirley Chambers, and Marge Hart, all of Washington; 41 grandchildren; and 71 plus great-grandchildren.

Viewing and visitation will be held Friday, August 20, 2004 from 12-7 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Chapel in Othello. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 21, 2004 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 7th Ave Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Bess Hampton Memorial Gardens in Othello.

Arrangements entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel, Othello.