William Ray "Bill" Boures

William Ray “Bill” Boures Age 93 November 14, 1922 – July 28, 2016 William Ray Boures peacefully passed away the morning of July 28, 2016. He had been living at the Community Living Center at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane for the past year where he was lovingly cared for. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Betty A. Boures, who passed away in 2009. Bill was born in the old Sacred Heart Hospital to parents Mabel Threlkeld and Nicholas Boures. He was one of eight children, with six of them surviving to adulthood. He was preceded in death by his older brother Harry and sister Frances and one son, Jason. Bill attended Arlington Elementary School and went on to attend West Valley High School where he was a three sport standout, including All State basketball and All Conference End in football in 1941. After high school, Bill worked small jobs until entry into the Army. He was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for Basic Training and also had parachute jump training. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne and was in campaigns in North Africa, Sicily, France, and later in Belgium where he was a proud member of the 101st that defended Bastogne at the Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944. After VE Day, he was a member of the occupying force in Berlin as part of the 82nd Airborne division. Following his discharge in 1946, Bill returned to Spokane and began work in the food service and bartending industries. He was head bartender at several local clubs including the Cougar Club, the Elks, Phil’s Fine Foods, and Playfair Race Course, which led to him become the secretary and treasurer of the Bartender Union Local 485 for many years. Bill worked at Playfair Race Course for numerous years and was the Concession Manager. He helped many young people obtain their first job there. Bill was an avid sports fan throughout his life and never missed a State B tournament – he loved attending each year’s tournament at the old Spokane Coliseum and later the Arena. He really enjoyed baseball and his favorite team was the New York Yankees. He was proud to have seen Joe Dimaggio and Ted Williams play at Yankee Stadium. Bill had many friends throughout his life and later had a close group of friends that met at Jack in the Box twice a week for coffee. A special thank you to John and Joann Lee who continued to help Bill attend after he gave up driving. The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the many staff at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane, and especially the staff and Dr. Lisa Perino in the Community Living Center / Hospice for the loving and devoted care they provided to Bill in his last year and final days. Bill is survived by four children: Gary Dahlgren of Sun Lakes, Arizona, Kathleen Barnia of Renton, Washington, Nicki Boures of Spokane, Washington, and Greg Boures (Andrea) of Spokane, Washington; and four grandchildren: Gary, Chad, Olivia, and Sofie, as well as several great grandchildren. Bill is also survived by three siblings: Betty, Dorothy, and Ronald and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 23 at 3:00pm at the Washington State Veterans Cemetery located at 21702 W. Espanola RD, Medical Lake. Family and friends will also gather at 6:00pm that evening to have dinner together in celebration of Bill at the annual Greek dinner held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at 1703 N Washington St in Spokane. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Community Living Center at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane at: 4815 N. Assembly St, Spokane WA 99205.