W.A. (Bill) Greene of Lewiston took his final flight by the early morning light of the full moon on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012. He was 95 years old and had been married for nearly 68 years to Gladys Humphrey Greene, who survives him at Guardian Angel Homes in Lewiston.
Born in Boone County, N.C., to Arthur Columbus and Edith Hayes Greene, Bill moved to this area at age 3, attended Orchards School, and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1935. He began working for Potlatch Forests Inc., that same year. In 1941 he was drafted into the U.S. Army. When a few planes thundered overhead while on maneuvers with the field artillery, he gained perspective on the desirability of travel by air and was one of two in his outfit who passed the test to enter the Air Corps. During flight school, he trained in heavy bombers. Stationed in Italy with the 15th Army Air Corps in 1944, then-Lt. Greene piloted 52 missions in a B-24 over occupied territory and twice earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. Subsequently he flew trans-Pacific navigation and supply missions before earning the rank of captain and serving as commander of the Idaho National Guard at Lewiston.
When President Harry Truman extended the heartfelt thanks of a grateful nation to those who answered the call of their country, he spoke of the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment used to carry out the task of defeating the enemy and said: "... we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace." Bill Greene did just that. His contributions to the community included service as a volunteer fireman, chairman of the Red Cross, and chairman of the Tammany School Board. He started the Orchards Little League by driving his pickup truck around neighborhoods and loading up kids to play ball. He coached teams for all three of his sons. He was a former member of area Masonic Lodges and a lifelong member of the Elks. For his work as chairman of the building committee for the Lewiston Elks Lodge, he was named Idaho Elk of the Year in 1971. Bill continued his career with Potlatch Forests, Inc. and became general manager of the wood products division.
After many years of living and raising their six children at their home in Tammany, Bill and Gladys moved to Spokane in 1976. He finished his career with Potlatch as a vice president. Unable to fully embrace retirement, he and Gladys ran the Spokane operations of Gabor Trucking for the next few years. Both enjoyed golfing, gardening, traveling and family fun at their Twin Lakes cabin. They returned to their hometown in 2001.
In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by three sons and three daughters: Bill (Crystal) Greene of Twin Falls, Idaho, Jim (Ana) Greene of Washington, D.C., Don (Lisa) Greene of Seattle, Jan (Gene) Golla of Lewiston, Barb (Eric Abbott) Chamberlain of Seattle, and Julie (Ian Walt) Greene of Friday Harbor, Wash. He also leaves a sister, Bernadine Steuber of Vancouver; sisters-in-law, Eleanor Greene and Wilma Greene, both of Lewiston; Lorraine Humphrey of Cloverdale, Calif., and Mary Lou Humphrey of San Diego; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Russ, Dale, Tom and Dan Greene; sister, Clara Little; brothers-in-law, Wayne Humphrey of Cloverdale, Calif., and L. Grant Humphrey of San Diego.
Services are scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday at Mountain View Funeral Home. Viewing will be available from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday.
The family asks that you remember Bill the next time you're telling a joke, golfing, fishing, or just having fun. Bill was an avid reader who often read a book a day. Donations in his name may be made to the Lewiston Library Foundation, P.O. Box 1055, Lewiston, ID 83501.
Please sign the online guest book at www.mtviewfuneralhome.com.
