William Jay Combs

William J. Combs passed early March 28, 2016 after a courageous battle against cancer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, a caring father, grandfather, and a friend to all.

Born in Salmon, Idaho, on December 19, 1952, to Willard and Nina Combs, he would spend his time growing up in Challis, Leadore, Cobalt, and Salmon, before moving to Pocatello in1969.
Bill graduated from Pocatello High School in 1971 and joined the United States Marine Corps shortly after graduation. After boot camp, he trained as an Aviation Structural Mechanic in Millington, Tennessee, and was then permanently assigned to the Marine Air Base in Yuma, Arizona until January 1976.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Bill returned to Pocatello, where he spent the rest of his life working for different companies around the area. He was employed by Redi Rain of Idaho, Union Pacific Railroad, Sunshine Taxi, and for the last 18 years Frazier Industrial Company as a welder. Bill also managed to attend and worked towards the completion of his Associates Degree in Civil Engineering from Idaho State University.

On May 5, 1973, Bill married his high school sweetheart and soul mate, Deborah. This marriage turned into a lifelong partnership filled with three caring and loving children, Jennifer, Ronald, and Mathew.

Bill was an avid fisherman, hunter, and outdoorsman. Any free time was spent with his family hunting, fishing and camping. He shared his enthusiasm for the outdoors with his friends and all of his grandchildren.

During the 1980's, when Jennifer was a member of the Girl Scouts, Bill became actively involved in community activities for the organization. He was given an honorary Girl Scout Membership. Later Bill would become an assistant scout leader for the Grace Lutheran Boy Scout Troop 108, a member of the Order of the Arrow, and assistant leader for Varsity Crew 123.

Bill is survived by his wife Deborah; his children Jennifer Siebert (Billy), Ronald (Hope) Idaho Falls, and Mathew (Kristin); 8 grandchildren, Brenda Neubauer, Kyle Neubauer, Jayden Combs, Zach Combs, Dylan Combs, Sebastian Combs, Victoria Bills and Liam Combs; and his sisters Jean Hartvigson of Wasilla, Alaska, and Connie Combs of Post Falls, Idaho.

Bill was preceded in death by his father Willard, his mother Nina, and his brother Walter E. Combs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held April 9, 2016 at 2pm at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, with Military Rites provided by Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard. Memories and condolences may be shared in the "Share a Memory" tab.