Bill passed away on June 28, 2016 in Spokane, WA. Bill was born in Spokane, Washington on March 22, 1923 to Walter and Rebekah Armfield, who preceded him in death. Bill attended grade school in Spokane and Glenora School near Spangle, WA and graduated from North Central High School in 1941. Bill attended Eastern Washington University for one quarter until the US joined WWII, December 7, 1941. Bill, along with most of his friends at college, enlisted in the US Air Force on Christmas Eve 1941. He served for four years and when discharged on November 30, 1945 returned to school at Washington State University where he received a degree in 1949 in Agricultural Chemistry. Bill worked at Spokane Seed Company, Spokane, WA for two years and then returned to WSU to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM), graduating in 1955. Bill continued to be on the Board of Directors for Spokane Seed Company for over 60 years, never missing a Board meeting except once when the airplane could not land in Spokane. Later he was elected Senior Vice-President of the company.
Armfield
Bill married Corinne Whealy of Spokane in April 1948. The couple had four children and separated in 1973. Bill married Carolee Neill Henning from Pullman on June 27, 1992.
When living on a farm during the depression Bill developed a love for animals and caring for them. The family doctor suggested he become a veterinarian. That thought stayed with him for many years and when he got the chance to study veterinary medicine at WSU he jumped at it and graduated four years later. Bill started the Palisades Animal Clinic of Pacific Palisades, CA November 1956 and later was a partner in the Pacific Coast Animal Hospital in Malibu, CA, splitting his time between the two practices. Bill practiced for 32 years in California before retiring in 1987. While practicing in California, Bill attended the first rabies clinic sponsored by the Southern California Veterinary Medicine Association (SCVMA) in Pacific Palisades as the areas faced a rabies outbreak. Bill was a Life Member of both the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and SCVMA.
After retirement, Bill returned to the Pacific Northwest purchasing 60 acres near Priest Lake, Idaho. He designed and built a log home in the middle of his old growth forest. He enjoyed fishing Priest Lake as well as developing his property and establishing a Wildlife Preserve for deer, moose and bear to enjoy the area. He also identified the various birds and wild flowers on the acreage. It was nothing to be sitting in the cabin eating lunch and seeing the animals pass by the window. Bill felt very close to God and nature everyday while on his property or on the lake. He split his time between Priest Lake and Pullman, WA. While in Pullman, Bill reconnected with his WSU Cougars by becoming a member of the President’s Associates and enjoying going to football and basketball games. His favorite Cougar memory was walking into the Rose Bowl on January 1, 1998.
Bill is survived by his wife Carolee of 24 years, his four children; Kristine Randal of Mariposa, CA, Juliana Bourget of Seattle, WA, Mark Armfield of Malibu, CA (wife Gina) and Lori Padden of Pacific Palisades, CA (husband John); three step-children, Julie Munson of Spokane, WA, Heidi Abbott of Auburn, WA (husband Justin) and Paul Henning of Los Angeles, CA; eight grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and a brother R.L. Armfield of Redmond, WA. He was preceded in death by a sister Constance Fisher.
The family suggests memorial gifts be made to WSU School of Veterinary Medicine or Pullman Regional Hospital. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman has been entrusted with cremation arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kimballfh.com.
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