William Donald 'Bill' Ellermeier, 81

William Donald “Bill” Ellermeier, 81, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, near Sandpoint, Idaho.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date.

Bill was born on July 3, 1929, in Swanton, Neb., to Frank and Stella Ellermeier. He grew up and attended grade schools in Swanton and graduated high school in Wichita, KS. During the summers, Bill worked at his grandfather’s grain elevator in Swanton. Bill graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in engineering, and was in the ROTC program there. He served his country in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant.

Bill began his career in construction when he went into business with his father in Orange, Calif., building houses. In 1958, he went to work for J.B. Allen Construction building Disneyland, and in 1967 worked on Disney World. Bill married Jackie Goth on Nov. 11, 1965, in Costa Mesa, Calif. The couple purchased a small home in Santa Anna, which was the first of four homes Bill remodeled. In 1974 Bill transferred to Howard S. Wright Construction Co. in Seattle. He retired in 1985 and moved to Sandpoint.

He was a past president of the Bonner County Sheep Association. He enjoyed woodworking, building fine furniture, farming, working in his orchard, and reading.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jackie in Sandpoint; a son, Kevin (wife Susan) Ellermeier of Vancouver, Wash.; and three nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Louise Layne.

Memorial donations may be made to Bonner Community Hospice or to the Healing Garden, PO Box 1448, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Please visit Bill’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.