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William "Bill" NewmanWilliam "Bill" Arthur Newman, of Ellensburg passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on May 18, 2022, in Yakima. Bill was born on February 14, 1947, to Maxine and William Newman in Ellensburg. He always told people he was born in the Safeway parking lot. (The location of the hospital when he was born.)Bill grew up on a dairy farm on Kilmore Road (near Thorp); with his two sisters, Ruthie, and Sally in tow. When Sally was born, Bill told his parents "Well, she'll always be Sam to me," and she was most of the time. (He really wanted a brother.) Bill had grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins close by while growing up. He loved hunting pheasants, deer, and elk and fishing. He played sports at school; baseball was his favorite. He had a gift with horses and dogs. He grew tall, but not quite as tall as his dad, so his nickname was Little Bill.The summer after graduation Bill went to work for the Washington Forest Service fire crew. Then he was drafted. He left in the spring and was sent to Vietnam. The war was hard, and he rarely talked about the details. His faith in God pulled him through. He loved his country and was proud to have served. At the age of 21 he returned to his home and went to work for the Washington State Game Department, he fed elk in the winter and planted birds in the summer. He loved his job. He married Linda in 1970 and together they had two children, a daughter, and a son. Teresa was her daddy's favorite person in the world for 3 and a half years; when his son Wesley was born, she became his favorite daughter and Wesley his favorite son. In 1982, after the closure of the Ellensburg branch of the Game Department, Bill went to work for Kelleher Motors. In 1998 he went to work for CWU where he worked until his retirement. In 1999 Bill and Linda divorced. Bill built a new home. The kids were always welcome. In 2006 he and Cheryl married, this union expanded his family with 4 daughters, sons-in-law, and grandkids. He called them his bonus family.Bill was always a devoted family man and worked hard to provide. He loved to tease and always found ways to make you smile. Paper wads in the toes of boots of others was among his favorite pranks. He had nicknames for everyone; Smiley was his favorite nickname for most everyone he met. He was a jokester and a prankster. HE LOVED GOD. He was a gentle kind man and children loved him.Bill is survived by his wife, Cheryl, sisters; Ruth and Sally (Guy), son Wes (Heather), daughter Teresa (Carl), Bonus daughters, Sonya, Beverly (Jeffery), Korinna (Chris), and Cari (Aaron). He is also survived by his grandchildren; Kellynn, Brandon, Dylan, Matthew, Luke (Deanna), James, Camryne, Shelby (Seth) and Carson; and one great granddaughter Emberlee.He was predeceased by his parents, William and Maxine, brother-in-law Steve and grandson Noah. A graveside service with Military Honors was held May 23, 2022, at the I.O.O.F cemetery where Bill is Interred.Bill's family would like you to join them for a celebration of his life on Saturday, July 23, 2022 in the Manastash Room at the Ellensburg Fairgrounds from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Online condolences may be left at www.brooksidefuneral.com (http://www.brooksidefuneral.com).Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family
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