Bill Joy

Bill peacefully joined his daughter Colleen in heaven on August 29, 2018 while holding the hand of his daughter, Michelle.  Born in Lewiston, Idaho on July 9, 1935, Bill graduated from Gonzaga Prep in 1954. BJ drove truck for Nalley’s, Coke, NW Beer Distributors and eventually retired from B & B (Budweiser) Distributors in 1997.  A person always on the go,  Bill and his family belonged to the “Teepee Toters” camper club, he was one of the original Bloomsday runners making him a Silver Star member, he was a ski patrol volunteer for 20 years and always loved the time he spent with family and friends boating, camping and skiing.  Dad spent hours riding his bicycle, he was an avid baseball fan, a strong Democrat and a devoted Catholic.  Bill was a proud member of the Teamster Union, Local 690 for 37 years. In 1997 he was appointed as a board trustee. In 1989 he was elected as the Recording Secretary and held this position for 10 years.  Bill can be remembered as the “Ring Leader of Fun” from his Bloomsday Parties to spear heading the now annual Hawaiian Dazes for 49 Degrees North Ski Patrol fund raiser. He often submitted Letters to the Editor and to friends, highlighting points he thought needed to be made with either his black sharpie or yellow highlighter.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marcella Joy, a brother Bob Joy and the one that broke his heart, his youngest daughter Colleen Joy.  He is survived by daughters Patti Atkins (Gary) and Michelle Bacon (Steve), grandchildren Kyle and Kayla Costello and Brett Bacon. Great-grandchildren Kaylynn, Landon and Abby, brother Ronald (Linda) Joy and numerous nieces and nephews.  Bill’s Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at 4:00 pm at Hennessey Funeral Home 2203 N Division St. Spokane, WA.  In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Union Gospel Mission.  BJ loved life and always said to “Walk in like you own the place.”  Rest in Peace, Dad. We’d  love to be a fly on the wall as you walked past St. Peter at the pearly gates like you owned the place….you probably already have a union formed!!! 

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