The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

William ("Bill" or "Billy") McCoy Boggs, 91, of Dayton, WA, left us on Monday, February 8, 2016. His strong will and lasting wit proved no match for a body weakened by heart and lung disease.

He was born February 1, 1925 in Dayton, WA, to Stanley and Ada (Leonard) Boggs. A family-tree, written in perfect penmanship at age 16, listed his "occupation" as school boy, a third generation descendant of families that settled in Columbia County in the early 1880s. He joined siblings Alta, Walter and Lora; later came sisters Leota and Betty.

Bill grew up in the family home on the South Touchet. He attended Star School through the eighth grade. He graduated from Dayton High School with the class of 1943. During breaks from school he worked on the family farm and for local farmers. By age 14 was earning a man's wage and was working just as many hours. After graduation, he worked for Loren Lambert dry land farming where he drove a two-horse team, D-40 and RD Caterpillar tractors, and three-ton Chevrolet truck.

He served in WWII with the 329th Infantry stationed in northern France and Central Europe. He was wounded during battle and after recovery was assigned to the Military Police in San Antonio, Texas. For his service to his country he received the Purple Heart, American Theater Service medal, European African Middle Eastern Service medal, Victory and Good Conduct medals, and ETO Ribbon with two bronze stars. Following Honorable Discharge from the Army, he continued in Reserve Corps until 1950.

After the war, Bill became a carpenter, a career that spanned some 50 years. His skill and talents left their mark on many homes and buildings in and around Dayton.

Bill had great respect and appreciation for nature; trips to the mountains or touring the local countryside were his passion. He knew the mountains like the back of his hand. A self-taught guitar and harmonica player, he would, in years past, fill Sunday mornings at home, and gatherings of the Boggs and Groom clans, with his enthusiastic playing and singing of old-time country songs.

He married in 1949 and had daughter Cheri Lynn. He later divorced.

In 1954 he married Earlene Groom. Together they raised their eight children: Howard; Kristy; Marty; Karla; Jeanie; Katie; Jill; and Jon.

Bill was preceded in death by wife Earlene; parents Stanley and Ada Boggs; siblings and their spouses: Walter Boggs; Alta and Jack Killits; Lora and Sherb Cummings; Leota and Merl Laughery; and Betty and Oren King. He was also preceded in death by grandson Levi Lorang; great granddaughter Anna Lorang; son-in-law David Rainey; and sisters-in-law Bess Groom Bly and Hubba Groom Carlton.

He is survived by his children: Cheri (Bob Stewart) Erwin; Howard(Linda Kastning) Boggs; Kristy (Kevin)Day; Marty (Danna) Boggs; Karla Boggs; Jeanie Fletcher; Katie (David) Reddish; Jill (David Eckersley) Rainey; and Jon (Kim) Boggs and 20 grandchildren. Survivors also include great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and extended families. He also leaves behind brothers- and sisters-in-law: Bud and Marilyn Groom; Dell and Aggie Groom; Mona Waliser; Phil Groom; Bitsy Livingston; and Jack and Sherry Groom.

Family and home mattered most. A man of honesty, fairness (and a little stubbornness), Bill lived life by his own rules, these principles as his guide. His sense of right and wrong, his work ethic, his integrity and his dedication to family are traits that were, by example, passed on to his children.  We are grateful for his gifts to us.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Bill's life beginning at 11:00 AM on February 27 at Running T Ranch, up the North Touchet. A luncheon will be provided. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dayton Alumni Association, Columbia County Veterans Memorial maintenance fund, Columbia County Emergency Services, Blue Mountain Heritage Society, Multiple Sclerosis Society, or a charity of donor's choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Mountain View – Colonial DeWitt, 1551 The Dalles Military Road, Walla Walla, WA.