Obituary of William Eugene Harney

William Eugene Harney (77) resident of St. Maries, died October 9, 2017 at his home in St. Maries.   He was born Feb. 21, 1940 to William and Velma (Riggins) Harney at Baker, OR.

Bill grew up in Northern California and was a high school graduate.  After a short stint in college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in January of 1959.  He was trained as a Radioman. He served on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga CVA 14 where he spent time in Hawaii and Japan.  He was honorably discharged in December of 1962.  After his discharge, Bill moved to Grants Pass, OR.  He met Mary Ann Brazil and they married four months later in Reno, NV on July 4, 1963. Their daughters Karen and Janet soon joined the family.  They moved to Weippe , ID so he could work at JayPee Plywood Mill.  While living there, daughter Malissa was born.

Bill worked there for 11 years at the JayPee Plywood mill.  He then went to work at a cedar mill in Weippe.  Bill and his new boss at the mill then opened up Ponderosa Cedar Mill in Calder, ID where Bill and his family moved to, then later moved to St. Maries.  They later closed the mill and Bill then went to work for Pacific Crown-Rayonier Mill in Plummer, ID until it had a fire.  Bill then went to work for Potlatch in St. Maries and retired there in 2002.

Bill’s wife Mary Ann died last year.

Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping.  He also enjoyed woodworking and ran a small business out of his home.  Bill love to ride his 4-wheeler and camping on the North Fork of the Clearwater River and as far up the St. Joe River as he could go.  He was a member of the St. Maries Assembly of God Church and served on their board of directors.  Bill was very involved in his church.

Bill is survived by his daughters Karen Murphy and Malissa (John) Taylor all of St. Maries and Janet Petramala of Rathdrum, ID.  Also surviving are his brother Floyd Harney of Vancouver, WA., 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by brothers Tom and Jack Harney.

Funeral Services will be Friday, October 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Maries Assembly of God Church with Pastor Lynn Peters officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with military rites by the St. Maries American Legion Post # 25.  A meal will follow the services back at the Church’s Fellowship Hall.