Obituary of Bill Florin

“Bill” John William Florin Jr. (69) Fernwood, ID resident passed away at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’ Alene, ID on February 22, 2019.  He was born in Seattle, WA to John William and Wilma (Modrell) Florin on September 6 1949 in Seattle, WA.  Bill attended St. Maries High School.  Following his schooling, he moved to Kirkland, WA, and supported himself with employment as a mechanic.  In 1988 he moved back to Idaho with his family. He continued to work as a mechanic, and operated a mill he managed in Carpenter Creek.  Bill held several jobs in the St. Maries area including Fleet Parts, the delivery driver for Hughes Home Center, and the Gazette Record.  Bill would run papers from Moscow to St. Maries, and would round up his family to help him assemble them.  His kids have memories of naps in the van on the road trips, and dirty fingers from folding all of the newspapers.

Bill moved to Bothell, WA where he worked at Evergreen Nursery.  A stroke 9 years ago forced him into early retirement.  He relocated back to the place he loved, his home in Fernwood, ID.  He enjoyed his animals, music, socializing with friends, riding 4 wheelers, the outdoors, and life in general.  His family was his world and he loved them all very much.  He is survived by his children Cassandra (Sandi) Koler of Seattle, WA, Melody (John) Williams of Spokane, WA, Kari (Jeff) Wilmus of Seattle, WA, Natasha Lankford of Longview, WA, Lavinia (Matt) Grimm of Longview, WA, Nichole Florin of Vancouver, WA, Jennifer Florin, and Michelle Florin.  He is also survived by step-sister Linda (Jerry) Boyle of Arizona, 10 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and three on the way.  He is preceded in death by his parents: John W. Florin, SR/Hazel Florin and W. Faye Modrell-Starling, his brother Jerry Dean, his sister Shawn Starling, and grandson Keegan Grimm.

A memorial service will be held later this summer a date and time to be announced.