It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of William (Bill) Albert Zehner II, 45, of Spokane, WA announce that he entered the open arms of our Lord and Savior on October 26, 2021.

For those who knew Bill, his humility, strength, humor, kindness, compassion, and sensitivity touched all he encountered. He will be remembered most for his selflessness, contagious energy, and fearless conviction. He is greatly missed by all of those blessed enough to call him friend, brother, son, uncle, father.

Born to William and Susan Zehner on April 22, 1976, in Syracuse, NY, Bill was always intrepid and adventurous. Most of his childhood was spent in the woods of Hinsdale, Massachusetts; hiking, four-wheeling, and exploring the outdoors. Bill excelled at athletics and shone in soccer, baseball, and tennis competitions. It was ultimately his love of the outdoors and skiing that brought him to the National Sports Academy in Lake Placid, NY, where his natural leadership and racing skills were recognized and honed. Shortly thereafter Bill attended Green Mountain College in VT, before completing his BA at Eastern Washington University, focused in business and economics. Although he entered the financial industry, his love of skiing and teaching manifested in coaching aspiring young racers; adoring nieces and nephews, students, and friends alike, on the slopes of Mt. Spokane and 49 Degrees North.

Continually independent, Bill transitioned from a career in investment banking to a craftsman's trade where he could work with his hands. In the field of industrial welding, he found the specialized skills, creative problem solving, and the strenuous physical exertion that he craved. Honing his skills as a Boilermaker, and due to his tenacious drive for excellence and boldness to undertake the difficult and dangerous, Bill rose swiftly. He would often, and proudly, regale his family and friends with tales of the intensely demanding, yet vastly rewarding, work that he was engaged in. He had found his calling.

Despite his appetite for adventure, it was the small pleasures in life that always brought Bill great joy and family was continually at the center of his existence. Friends and family will remember him as the life of the party with his big laugh, strong handshake, warm personality, and an ear-to-ear smile. He adored his father, sisters, nieces, and nephews, but especially his young son Andre, and the love of his life, Lisa.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Elizabeth. He is survived by his father William Albert, son Andre, longtime girlfriend Lisa Shoemaker and her son Jared, sisters Kate and Elizabeth and brothers-in-law: Jason Green and Jeremey Henrickson, several beloved nieces, and nephews: Lars, Elsa, Anna, Elin and Leif and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A dedicated father and uncle, who cherished his son, nieces, and nephews, and spent countless hours teaching them how to ski, play soccer and ride dirt bikes, Bill will be most fondly remembered on the icy mountainsides and on the misty back-country trails that he loved.

A vigil will be held on Friday November 19 ^th at 7pm followed by celebrating Funeral Mass on Saturday November 20 ^th at 11am, both at St Thomas More Church 505 W. St. Thomas More Way, Spokane, WA 99208.