William Leslie Stilwater

Oct 17,1947 – May 19,2026 - 78 yrs

Our dear friend William Leslie Stilwater, affectionately known as “Bill”, “Doc”, passed on to meet Our Merciful Lord in Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, WA on May 19, 2026, after facing many health challenges for many years. Bill’s death was a beautiful passing with friends at his side and a dear catholic priest to bless him with the sacrament of extreme unction (Last Rites) seconds before his passing. It appears that Bill was waiting until his friends arrived at his side & the Last Rite was bestowed before he passed, as his heart stopped immediately after the last word of the Rite. Oh happy death with the grace of Our Lord’s Divine Mercy!

Bill was born on Oct 17,1947 in Yakima, WA to William Sr, and Irene (Clinard) Stilwater, and is survived by his younger brother, Robert (Debra) Stilwater, and sister Betz (Stilwater) DeJarnatt, his Former wife Lois Ann Pruitt, stepson Robert(Natalie) Stilwater, and his affectionately adopted friend/daughter, Patricia (Dan)Bulfur. Patricia and Dan kept Bill in their care for many years with much sacrifice and love. In his most recent years he was in the loving care of Margaret Seeru’s household in St John Vianney parish, Spokane Valley, where they provided an extraordinary warm and caring environment; giving Bill the means and freedom to flourish, doing the activities he loved, even letting him use his bedroom as a work shop. During his last year, as his health required more intense care, he was at Joyce Thuku’s household in North Spokane,. The Thuku family were so dedicated, hospitable and caring as well, they worked so hard for Bill. Both households did such a wonderful job. Also, to all of the doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers that gave their best to help Bill; Thank you, and God bless you all for this.

Bill’s parents brought up the children in the Christian faith in Yakima, in a home their father built. On weekends Bill Sr, would often take his family out for much cherished hunting and fishing; sometimes combining recreation with building chapels for various Christian campgrounds. One, which they built in the 1960s, was at our local Pinelow Camp at Deer lake. Bill really loved fishing, Dog Lake was a favorite spot. He attended Yakima’s Eisenhower High School, and graduated in 1966. Bill was clever and intelligent. He loved to tinker on projects with electronics during high school. Soon after graduating, he ran is own manufacturing plant for a few years making fruit shipping crates. He also worked in his father’s brick-laying trade, attended Diesel Mechanic school at Yakima’s community college and worked as a diesel mechanic at a Logging company in Goldendale, then lived and worked in Montana for awhile where he was reportedly injured on the job. Later, he came down with ailments that hampered his mobility and eventually his ability to breathe on his own for many years, the rest of his life.

In spite of his long lasting handicaps, he loved life and cherished being with friends, easily making conversation, injecting humor & making silly faces. He would freely introduce himself and strike up a conversation with his caregivers and strangers as well. He lived bigger than life; sometimes telling embellished stories of his history that were….well… a good demonstration of his creative & bright mind. In his later years he grew in his love for Jesus, praying every day, fervently reading scripture and teachings of the faith, attending Holy Mass; bravely driving himself to church in his electric wheelchair with breathing machine and all. He was a member of the Catholic Knights of Columbus. He loved listening to Catholic television and Christian podcasts; often doing two tasks at once! With him there was never a dull moment, he always had a project or two in the works, which he pursued with enthusiasm; whether it was fixing computers, making rosaries, rigging up control boards, and wiring is own gadgets for his electric wheelchair (he had some clever set-ups!) He liked to show his favorite recipes to the household; sharing those meals with them. He was generous and thoughtfully gave gifts of food and gadgets when he saw his friends needed them. He consistently did all these things when he was more or less suffering. It was amazing how he would forge ahead, even when his discomfort was extreme.

Bill had “nine lives”, it seemed, often suffering major health setbacks over the years; this, combined with being wheelchair bound for many years, & needing breathing assistance through a trach. But these things rarely got him down. He kept his focus forward and up and kept abreast on current events. He welcomed praying with friends, rejoicing to talk with us about Jesus’ love, Our Heavenly Mother’s love, and heaven’s active work in our lives, even if he wasn’t feeling well. He also loved music and to sing, especially hymns. If we would sing, he would join right in and sing along; carrying a tune well, even with his trach. He rarely complained, and really understood penitential & redemptive suffering; willingly offering his suffering united to, and sanctified by Jesus’ suffering to dispense graces to those he prayed for (Col 1:24).

All are invited to pray the Holy Rosary for Bill and his family at 9:30am, Friday, July 10th, at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 503 N Walnut Rd, Spokane Valley, WA. Afterward, at 10am, the Holy Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for him. A reception with refreshments will follow in the adjacent parish hall.

May God grant you eternal rest Bill.