William "Bill" Gaumer Lefler

William "Bill" Gaumer Lefler, 84, a resident of Royal City since 1960, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. He was at his home with his wife and children by his side when he gave up the good fight on Friday, July 13, 2012.

Born on March 31, 1928, in Weiser, Idaho, he lived in Wilder, Idaho before homesteading in the Columbia Basin near Royal City, Washington. Bill farmed and dairied in Wilder until he drew a Columbia Basin farm unit under the GI Homestead Act Bill.

Bill volunteered four years in the United States Navy during WWII and in 1950 married the beautiful Larea Maxwell. They recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in June.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Rex and Ruth Lefler, sister Betty Swigert, grandson Caleb James Schoppert and granddaughter Michelle Lefler.

Throughout his years farming on the Royal Slope, Bill was very proud of serving 25 years on the Quincy Irrigation Water District board of directors. In addition, he was the Commissioner and Fire Chief for The Grant County Fire Department #10 of Royal City which founded the ambulance service in the 1960's. Bill also served as the Royal Slope Port District Commissioner, was instrumental in developing the Royal City Golf course, and helped establish the phone service to the west end of the Royal Slope in the 1960's. He was an active Lion's Club and Moose Club member. His hobbies included golfing, snowmobiling, wood-working and traveling. Bill was honored as Royal City "Citizen of the Year" in 1992 and he and his wife, Larea, were the Royal City SummerFest Grand Marshals in 2010.

Survivors include his wife Larea Lefler of Royal City, daughter Debra Busick and son-in-law Steve from Cle Elum, Washington; daughter Denise Lefler of Othello, Washington; and son Rex Lefler and daughter-in-law Maria of Royal City, Washington. Grandchildren Shevea Schoppert of Tukwila, Washington; Sidiya Schoppert of Seattle, Washington; Ryan, Reed and Riley Lefler of Royal City, Washington. One great grandchild; Joseph James Schoppert-Rodriquez of Tukwila, Washington.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2012, at the Church of the Nazarene, 200 Calla Loop NW, Royal City, Washington. Burial will be held in private. Relatives and friends are welcome at the memorial services and reception. The reception will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., at the Royal City Golf Course Community Center, 13702 Dodson Rd., Royal City, Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome and can be given to the Royal City Community Golf Course or Assured Hospice of Moses Lake, Washington. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory.