William Ross “Bill” Kidder, 85, of Lewiston, Idaho, died Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, from complications related to age at the Lewiston Veterans Home, where he had been a resident for the last five years.
Bill was born Dec. 26, 1919, in Ridgefield, Wash., to David and Olive Kidder. He attended grade school in Oregon and graduated in 1937 from Pendleton High School. He joined the U.S. Navy the same year and served for more than seven years in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 as a lieutenant (jg) with many decorations for his efforts.
Immediately after his discharge, he went to Saudi Arabia, employed by the Arabian American Oil Co. On his first vacation trip back to Oregon and Washington, he met and married Marilyn Stephens of Haines, Ore. She returned with him to Saudi Arabia, where they spent another 14 years. All four of their children were born there.
After returning to the United States in 1962, Bill and his family lived in Fruitland, Idaho. Bill worked for Ore-Ida Foods and NACA Trucking until his retirement in 1985.
Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing and many family weekends and vacations centered on these two activities. He loved stream fishing and could always catch his limit.
Bill loved people. He always wore a great smile and was willing to visit. He was involved in the Shrine Club of Ontario, Ore., serving as wagonmaster of the Treasure Valley Food Caravan for more than 15 years. He was also a 40 year member of the Fruitland Lions Club.
Bill and Marilyn moved to Lewiston in 1995, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Lewiston in 1998.
Marilyn survives him at their family home. His four children, Marsha and Ted Creason of Lewiston, Ron and Vicki Kidder of Birmingham, Ala., Brent and Robin Kidder of Boise and Wayne Kidder of Oklahoma City also survive him. He also has six grandchildren, Rover Creason with the U.S. Army stationed in Hawaii, Kayla Creason of Pullman, Jana Creason McGilvery of Meridian, Idaho, Samuel Creason of Moscow, Idaho, Tandra Hutchinson of Mount Brook, Ala., and Trishia Gulis of Birmingham.
At Bill’s request, no funeral will be held. A private memorial service for family will be held at a later date.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dan McIntosh and his staff and the Idaho Veterans Home and its entire staff for all of their love, care and concerns for Bill over the past five years.
Memorials may be made to the Veterans Home in Lewiston, the Portland Shriner’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, September, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor