William James Diehl, 88, of Hoquiam, Washington, passed away at his home surrounded by family on February 28, 2024.
William was born in Fruita, Colorado, on July 17, 1935, to William Nathan and Kathryn Harriet Dubbs Diehl. He had one sister, Mary Ellen, that preceded him in death.
The family lived in a few states, but settled in Vancouver, Washington, where he attended Evergreen High School, graduating in 1954. He then served for three years in the US Army where he was in charge of keeping the General's maps up to date. He was honorably discharged in 1957. He continued his education at Central Washington University, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in education.
William married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Mae Whisler, on October 25, 1957, in Orchards, Washington. Together they raised four children. Maxine passed away in 2019.
William taught middle and high school along with driver's education. He was one of the founding fathers of Continuation School, now known as Harbor High. He taught for 32 years with the Aberdeen School District, and prior to that, three years in Ellenburg.
William's hobby was genealogy, so when he retired, he and Maxine spent several years traveling the United States in search of their ancestors. He spent his last months working hard on his family tree on ancestry to make sure it was correct for those left behind. He was also a longtime contributor to Find a Grave.
Family was important to William, and he hosted many family dinners occasionally making his family favorite spaghetti. During COVID, he worried about his great-grandchildren's education. They have many fond memories of him coming over or video chatting and reading books to them.
William James Diehl, 88, of Hoquiam, Washington, passed away at his home surrounded by family on February 28, 2024.
William was born in Fruita, Colorado, on July 17, 1935, to William Nathan and Kathryn Harriet Dubbs Diehl. He had one sister, Mary Ellen, that preceded him in death.
The family lived in a few states, but settled in Vancouver, Washington, where he attended Evergreen High School, graduating in 1954. He then served for three years in the US Army where he was in charge of keeping the General's maps up to date. He was honorably discharged in 1957. He continued his education at Central Washington University, graduating in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in education.
William married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Mae Whisler, on October 25, 1957, in Orchards, Washington. Together they raised four children. Maxine passed away in 2019.
William taught middle and high school along with driver's education. He was one of the founding fathers of Continuation School, now known as Harbor High. He taught for 32 years with the Aberdeen School District, and prior to that, three years in Ellenburg.
William's hobby was genealogy, so when he retired, he and Maxine spent several years traveling the United States in search of their ancestors. He spent his last months working hard on his family tree on ancestry to make sure it was correct for those left behind. He was also a longtime contributor to Find a Grave.
Family was important to William, and he hosted many family dinners occasionally making his family favorite spaghetti. During COVID, he worried about his great-grandchildren's education. They have many fond memories of him coming over or video chatting and reading books to them.
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