Billy J. Rash

Billy John Rash passed away peacefully on Friday morning, August 26, 2016 in his home at the Cottonwood Cove Retirement Community in Pocatello, Idaho while being attended by family and caring hospice workers.

He was born on September 5, 1926 in Glenns Ferry, Idaho to William Franklin Rash and Lenore Burdg. Following the death of his mother in 1932, Bill was largely raised by his grandparents.
Bill was an avid outdoorsman and spent many days hunting, camping and fishing in the mountains of Idaho and along the Snake River. Many of our fondest memories of Bill involve the outdoors and around a campfire. He was also passionate about sports in general and was particularly fond of professional baseball. Family vacations were often planned in cities where he and his family could attend professional baseball games. Bill played football in college and trained as a coach. These skills were put to work many times as he coached little league teams for his children.

Bill was a member of what has been termed as the "Greatest Generation" and enlisted at an early age in the United States Navy during World War Two. He reported to the Farragut Naval Training Station in Bayview Idaho in 1943. Following basic training he was deployed to the North Atlantic campaign where he served as a Machinist Mate on several destroyer escorts, including the USS Tweedy. Bill participated in heavy combat including the invasion of Normandy. He rarely discussed the war with family members and when he did he focused mainly on relationships with friends. Bill was honorably discharged in 1947 and returned home to Idaho.

Using the G.I Bill, he attended the Southern Idaho College of Education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in teaching and coaching. Upon graduation Bill went to work for the Union Pacific Railroad where he worked until retirement. He counted his railroad co-workers as some of his dearest friends and they have been a source of support and comfort throughout his entire life. He and Elaine were active in the Union Pacific "Old Timers" organization.

On March 12, 1949 Bill married Elaine Mae Phillips in Carey Idaho. Elaine and his four children were his life. He was a devoted husband and father who relished time with those he loved. Bill and Elaine were married for 50 years when he lost her to cancer in 1999. He and Elaine welcomed many individuals into their extended family and it was common for people-- outside of his family—to refer to him as "grandpa" or "uncle Bill". In addition to family, Bill welcomed and cherished many close friends into his life and our family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and condolences. In his last years he treasured the companionship of Marilyn Smith with whom he shared many special moments and a love of animals and gardening.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Elaine, three brothers (Jack, Richard and Robert) and his oldest son Frank. He is survived by three children; Dolores Walls of Eagle, Idaho, Robert Rash of Pocatello, Idaho and Phillip Rash of Provo, Utah. He is also survived by a step mother, Lona Elliot Rash, his sister Bonnie Van Camp and brother Ronald Rash.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served for many years with the Scouts, in the Sunday School and as a Ward Clerk.

Not a fan of meetings, Bill requested that his family not hold formal funeral services for him. Instead, he requested that friends and loved ones simply spend a moment reflecting on a good memory. A simple memorial service will be held on August 31, 2016 at 1:00pm at the Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck, Idaho, with military rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.