Willis 'Bill' Drake, 76

Willis "Bill" Drake, 76, of Bonners Ferry, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at Boundary Community Hospital from heart and lung complications.

Bill was born Sept. 9, 1931, in Williston, N.D., to Frank and Marie Drake. He was the seventh of nine children.

His family moved from Charboneau, N.D., to Bonners Ferry, where Bill went to school.

He worked in and enjoyed the woods from an early age.

An avid outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing around Smith, Bog and Meadow creeks, and Queen Mountain to name just a few.

He was a stubborn bur, always good-hearted and always ready to help those in need. Bill would give his opinion whether you wanted it or not, and had a colorful language all his own.

Bill is survived by sisters Irene and Agnes; brothers Vern and Forrest; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; good friends Loyal and Kay, Roy and Ronda, Jill, Ilona, Richard, Dennis; and many more who touched his life.

Bill was preceded in death by brothers Darwood, Sydney, Harvey and Herman.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Bonners Ferry Food Bank.

A celebration of Bill's life with a potluck will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Bill's home at 6832 Augusta St., Bonners Ferry.