(Age 87)
June 6, 1927
August 14, 2014
Bill was born in Spokane to Charles E. and Helen C. Cabbage on June 6, 1927. He passed away at Sacred Heart Medical Center August 14, 2014 after a brief illness. Bill enlisted in the US Coast Guard at the age of seventeen in 1945. He served aboard the USS Ogeechee as a Fireman Second Class. Following the end of World War II he also served two hitches in the US Army where he boxed for the Army in Panama. He was very proud of his twenty-three wins and only three losses during his fighting time. After his discharge from the Coast Guard, Bill married Bertie Marie Malmoe in Spokane. Two sons, Michael and Patrick, were born to them before Bertie died in 1949 of polio. Two years later, Michael died of spinal meningitis. In 1955, Bill married Mary Evelyn Sexsmith, who brought her three children, Travis, Linda, and Joe, into the marriage. Two more children were born to them after they moved to Columbia Falls, Montana, where Bill worked for the Anaconda Aluminum Company. Julie and Bill completed their family. Bill later adopted Mary’s children to make one big happy family. Bill worked most of his life as a salesman. He worked many years for J.M. Vranizan Company, a wholesale costume jewelry, handbag, and lady’s apparel company in Portland, Oregon. He traveled a sales route from the Cascades to Gillette, Wyoming and from the Canadian border to Boise, Idaho. Bill loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing every chance he got. He was the self-proclaimed “World’s Greatest Fisherman.” He always said, “God adds one day to your life for every day you go fishing.” Bill was willing to take anyone fishing with him; however, if you caught the first fish or the biggest one, he never invited you again. He also loved to hunt, camp, and spend time in the outdoors. Bill was a long-time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved to serve others at the Spokane Bishop’s Storehouse where he volunteered for more than fifteen years. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary, at the home; Children: Patrick (Beverly); Linda Hanigan; Joe; Julie Paul; Bill (Terri) all of Spokane; Kelly Lynn (Jack) Rainford of Chelan, WA; and Susan (Steven) Allard of Albany, OR. Also surviving are 20 Grandchildren; 17 Great-Grandchildren; sister, Charloss Dillon, of Spokane; brother, Edgar Pears of Everett, WA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Bertie Marie; sons, Michael and Travis; and his sister, Bonnie Higgins. A memorial service for Bill will be held at the Spokane Valley Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 21022 E. Wellesley Ave., Otis Orchards, WA on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 11:00 AM.
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