William J. Farmer

William (Bill) Joseph Farmer, 83, left us on May 11, 2014, with his family by his side in Moses Lake, Washington.

Bill was born February 22 1931, in Jasper, Arkansas to William Oscar and Alice Beatrice Farmer. Bill and Melinda Tomlin married in 1962 and raised 5 boys in the Ephrata area.

Though Bill had an extensive work experience dating back to 1943, his lifelong dream was to be a farmer as his father was. Graduating from Seattle Pacific University, he earned a B.A. in education. In 1957 Bill began his career in education in Soap Lake, Washington. After three brief years, Bill was quickly promoted to principal. For the next eighteen years, he remained a committed public servant for the Soap Lake school district. In 1969 he continued his commitment to education by serving as a curriculum consultant for Grant and Adams counties. In 1973 his dream came to fruition when he purchased the family farm on Martin road in Ephrata, Washington. In 1975 he submitted his resignation to fully commit to farming.

Bill received credit for serving his country for two years in the Naval Reserves on active duty during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. During the 1948 to 1957 he was in the Naval Reserves. In 1957 to 1961 he served in U.S. Air Force Reserves.

Bills commitment and love for his family and friends was extraordinary. He was far from a materialistic man. He was a wonderful story teller describing to family members what it was like to grow up in Arkansas. He was proud of how far in life he had come, often reminiscing about life growing up. Bill was a highly intelligent, yet eccentric man. He was an avid outdoorsman enjoying backpacking in the mountain, hunting, fishing, gardening, and camping with his family. At one point, he took on yet another hobby, flying airplanes. Bill was a giver. Loved ones would wake up in the morning to find gifts of fruits and vegetables grown by him with love on the family farm. Bill would have done anything for anyone, especially his sons and their families. The man that Bill Farmer was is evident in the five boys that he and his wife Melinda raised. All good men, hard workers, devoted husbands, committed fathers and uncles.

Bill was not only a loving father and faithful friend, but an extremely ambitious man.

In 1974 Bill was sent a letter of appreciation from Intermediate School District 104. In 1958 he was granted an Honorary Membership in the Order of the Arrow Service Award by the Boy Scouts of America, North Central Washington, and Wenatchee. Twice awarded the Golden Acorn Award by the Soap Lake Parent Teacher Association as Educator of the Year, Bill remained a proud but humble man.

Bill is preceded in death by his mother Beatrice, father William, stepfather John Van Pelt, brother Marvin, and two infant siblings.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Melinda of Ephrata, Washington; sons Joseph (Julie) of Ephrata, Washington; Ernest of Ephrata, Washington; Timothy (Holly) of Ephrata, Washington; Thomas (Kamela) of Ephrata, Washington; and Shiloh (Andrea) of Colfax, Washington; grandchildren Alan of Saint Cloud, Minnesota; Katie of Moses Lake, Washington; Josie of Meridian, Idaho; A.J. serving in the USAF California; Nicholas serving in the US Army Texas; RiLee of Moses Lake, Washington; Kayla of Ephrata, Washington; and Tanner of Ephrata, Washington; sisters Janice Turpin and Vela Lanz of Oregon.

Per Bill's request, there will be no public services. He will be honored by his family in a private gathering. Please share your memories of Bill and sign his online guest register at www.carverfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements in care of Carver Family Funeral Home.