Wilfred 'Bill' Allen, 86
Wilfred “Bill” Allen, 86, of Sagle, Idaho, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, at his home.
A memorial service will be held, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Coffelt Funeral Home with a graveside service to follow at Pinecrest Cemetery.
He was born Jan. 23, 1930, in Oakland, Calif., to Lee and Josephine Allen. He was the fifth child with four brothers and one sister. He spent most of his young life in California, moving to Sandpoint during his freshman year, graduating in 1947. He began his work history delivering ice for Sandpoint Ice and Fuel eventually going to work for the Pack River Lumber company shop. He was taught by his older brother Robert to weld and to be a machinist.
In January 1948, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army, eventually being shipped to Europe and assigned to the 507th Heavy Shop Company in Hanau, Germany. He rose to the rank of platoon sergeant, overseeing six GIs and 25 German civilians, where he was in charge of the welding, blacksmith, radiator and sheet metal shop. Bill was one of 10 men selected to go to the Constabulary NCO Academy in Munich and attended a course in atomic energy in Frankfurt. He was trained how to blow up the engineer depot if the Russians were to invade their sector.
Bill returned to Sandpoint in 1952 and went back to work for Pack River. In that year, he met Lila Mitton and they were married in January 1953. Together they had four children, Randy, Connie, Terry and Diane.
Lila died in 1999 and Bill decided to contact an old roller skating friend, Dave Balch. He got a response from Dave’s widow, Nettie, informing him of his death. Bill and Nettie started dating and were married May 5, 2001. Bill loved his family and extended family and often hosted gatherings at their river home. Bill and Nettie also spent time at their winter home in Tahuya, Wash.
Bill is survived by his wife, Nettie; his four children and their spouses, Randy and Valerie Allen, Connie and Thomas Johnson, Terry and Debbie Allen, and Diane and Alan Schock; and by a brother, Everett Allen. He is also survived by his stepchildren, George and Tracey Giese, Francis Giese, and Ken and Bobbi Jo Giese. He had 15 grandchildren, Mandy, Ryan, Mark, Lynn, Amanda, Daniel, Brett, Heather, Andrew, Michael, Thomas, John, Katie Mae, Jack and Billy; and eight great-grandchildren, Maddison, Easton, Holt, Lily, Aaron, Kylie, Emma and Maddie.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Sandpoint Senior Citizens.
Family and friends are invited to sign Bill’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint, Idaho.