Dec. 9, 1942-Feb. 27, 2022
Our loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, William S. (Bill) Funke peacefully passed away Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, in St. George, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born on Dec. 9, 1942, in Hawthorne, Nevada and was raised in Idaho. Bill graduated from Burley High School, obtained a degree at Weber State University and pursued a career in HVAC. He was a Master Draftsman and retired from IMFT as a HVAC supervisor in 2012.
Bill married Diane Thompson on May 18, 1961, in Burley, Idaho, and together they raised three wonderful sons Chris (Bill), Randy and Brody. They later divorced.
On Dec 15, 1989, he was married to his eternal companion Athel Young Holt in the Salt Lake City Temple. At that time, he took her children Greg, Kim, Jason and Crystal under his wing and loved them as his own. He loved his 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bill was the best Papa to all of them. Bill and Athel lived in Syracuse and Alpine and have a current home in Ivins.
Bill had many talents and hobbies. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or build. He had a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed boating, dancing, shooting his guns, skiing, golfing and riding motorcycles. He especially loved exploring St. George with his family, in his side by side with his beloved dog, Bella. Bill had the biggest heart with a special kindness for animals. He was always the first one to help and would do anything, for anyone. He had a contagious laugh and was continuously joking and teasing. Bill was the salt of the earth and will be truly missed.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Athel of Ivins, his sisters Joyce Edwards of Hailey, Idaho, Mary Fisher (Butch) of Buhl, Idaho, brother Gale Funke (Carlene) of Buhl, Idaho; his seven children, Bill Funke (Tracey) of Missoula, Montana, Randy (Kim) Funke of Roy, Brody Burns of Plano, Texas, Greg Holt (Natalie) of Leeds, Kim Reynolds (Lane) of South Weber, Jason Holt (Emily) of Washington City and Crystal Peterson (Ryan) of West Haven.
Bill was proceeded in death by his parents Joe and Esther Funke, brothers Fred and Dick Funke and grandchild Lauren Elizabeth.
A celebration of life will be held to honor Bill at the Santa Clara City office, 2603 Santa Clara Drive, 2-6-p.m. on March 19, 2022. In lieu of flowers, share your favorite memories of Bill.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Bill’s online guest book.