William Henry Howes

William Henry Howes, “Bill,” 43, Othello, passed away November 6, 2009 in Othello, Washington.

Bill was born September 8, 1966 to Patricia Corbett and Robert Howes in Hollywood, California.

When Bill was three he and his mother and his older brother, Michael, moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. Bill attended his school years at Hidden Valley, Oregon. Bill then left home and moved to Seattle, Washington, where he met his wife Tammie.

Bill worked in Seattle at Garrett Press where Bill was trained to be a journeyman press operator. This was a family owned and operated business and Bill became part of the printing family, besides marrying into it! He and Tammie were married in July of 1987. After twenty years in the printing business, Bill decided it was time for a change of career. Being a handy guy – he liked to tinker with cars, computers, electronics and remodeled every house he lived in – he found a great fit working at Lowe’s. His people skills led him to his first promotion within two months! Within a few years he moved his way up to Operations Manager and had the opportunity to open the new store in Moses Lake.

During twenty-two years of marriage he and Tammie were joined by their first son, Nicholas in 1987; their second son, Noah in 1990; and their daughter, Samantha in 1993. Bill was an avid family man. Whatever the kids were doing, or wanted to do, so did Bill. There were years of T-ball which then moved up to baseball. Bill spent many years umpiring youth of all ages on many different baseball fields from Seattle to Shoreline to Snohomish. There were horse show, FFA trips, 4-H events, and always there were kids. Bill was the neighborhood Dad. If the group was going somewhere and needed a ride – call Bill – he’ll take us. He chaperoned dances, field trip. BBQs and hosted many a BBQ himself. He loved to cook and feeding people was a hobby.

One of Bill’s life ambitions was to be a farmer. Kind of hard to do in Seattle, so he and Tammie headed to Othello where Tammie had grown up. Horses had always been around, but next thing you knew there were sheep, pigs and steers and a few dogs and cats too! Fairs and 4-H and FFA became the routine – spring shows with pigs and sheep, horse shows starting in early spring and running through fall, and then the fairs with pigs and sheep again. Throughout it all, Bill was entertained by, and mentored, hundreds of kids and others.

Friends were an important part of Bill’s life and he had many. He developed and cultivated friendships at work, with family members’ friends, with his children’s friends, and with friends of friends. He often said you can’t pick your relatives, but you can pick your friends. He was great at remembering names, places and details and it always felt good to hear his hello because you knew, he knew who you were and that he was happy to see you again. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael and his mother, Patricia. He is survived by his wife, Tammie; sons Nicholas and Noah, and daughter Samantha. His sister, Susan (Chris); father, Robert (Judy); Robert Jr; sister, Kimberly; along with several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends, Wednesday, November 11, 2009, beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 1200 (noon) at the Nazarene Church Gathering Place, 835 E. Ash, Othello, WA.

Please leave a note and view the obituary at www.carverfamilyfuneralhome.com.

 Bill’s family asked Carver Family Funeral Home, Othello to care for the arrangements.