William “Bill” George Danekas “Sr.”, age 83, a 50-year resident of Colville, WA passed away on June 1, 2026 surrounded by family at his home. Bill was born on April 28, 1943 in Spokane, WA the son of Raymond William and Norma (Oliver) Danekas.

Bill spent the majority of his youth in Davenport, WA where he grew up a multi-sport athlete throughout grade school, junior high and high school. In his early high school years, Bill moved with his parents and sister to a wheat ranch pioneered by the Danekas family. It was here that he met the Ritzville cheer queen, Dianne Smith and in the words of Diane, “It was magic.” In 1961, he graduated as a Ritzville High School Bronco. He and Dianne continued dating throughout his two years at the University of Washington and became a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He then began a funeral directing apprenticeship in Walla Walla, WA before transferring to the Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. He and Dianne exchanged wedding vows on November 9, 1963 in Ritzville and resided together in Sunnyside. Bill completed his apprenticeship under the direction of Hap and Katherine Smith. He and Dianne then moved to San Francisco, CA where he attended the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. He graduated in 1967, and they moved to the Spokane Valley where he worked for Thornhill Valley Funeral Home for 10 years. They began a family and welcomed Heidi, Denise, and twins Katy and Bill. In 1976, they moved to Colville, WA where he and Dianne purchased the Moser Funeral Chapel. In 2006, they purchased the Schanzenbach Funeral Home in Chewelah, WA.  This year they give appreciation and gratitude for 50 years of friendships and the trust of serving families in their time of need. Bill never retired and worked alongside his son for 30 years.

He was an active supporter of the community, loved helping kids get into trade school and college. He was a supporter of the Steven County Fair fat stock sale for decades, as well as giving support to the Hunter, Inchelium and Ferry County Fairs, local school programs, the Tree of Sharing, project Santa, Colville ASB, local youth athletics, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout fundraisers and could never pass a cookie sale or lemonade stand without stopping to help out. He was a past supporter of: Ducks Unlimited, Friends of the NRA, Special Olympics, Fair Royalty and Float Programs, Stevens County Cattleman, National Wild Turkey Foundation, and Shriner’s Hospital. He loved supporting the communities wherever he could. Bill was involved in the Colville Rotary, Colville Chamber of Commerce, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and the Shriners, Mt. Carmel Board of Directors for the Dominican Sisters, Dollars for Scholars, Colville Airport Advisory Board and past chairman of the Colville Parking Commission. Professionally he was a past member of the Inland Empire Funeral Directors Association, Washington State Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association as well.

. Growing up as a part of the Silent Generation, Bill found no purpose in idle time. He enjoyed time on his tractor, working with wood, tying flies, flying his Cessna 172, and tinkering on endless projects. He enjoyed time on the lake pulling his kids (and anyone else on the dock) around the lake behind the Glastron boat. He also enjoyed quiet time fishing the local lakes. He coached recreation league T-ball and soccer when his kids were young. Most importantly, he was generous, hardworking, humble, compassionate, and he loved people. He could, and would. talk to anybody. His grandchildren knew him as kind, warm and personable. His kids knew him as a supportive, with high expectations, and as a nurturing father. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. His wife knew him as a congenial soul, her rock, and her everything. And, she was his. Together they built a life of love, where the door of their home was always open to their family, friends, and anyone in need. Any stragglers from the animal kingdom were welcome as well. However, there was nothing better than sharing Hula pie with his family at Duke’s in Hawaii.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Susan Wellsandt; a nephew, Jason Wellsandt and daughter-in-law, Genevieve Danekas.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Dianne Danekas, at home; daughters, Heidi Danekas (Marc Willy) of Kennewick, WA, Denise Danekas of Deer Park, WA, Katy Peterman (Andy) of Colville, WA, Bill Danekas Jr. (Emily) of Colville, WA, and 8 grandchildren, McKenzie Small, Dane Small (Heather), Ryah Small, Ayden Kent, Ashlynn Kent, Ella Mae Peterman, Raymond Danekas and Emily Danekas, two nieces and four nephews, and a host of friends.

The visitation for Mr. William “Bill” Danekas “Sr.” will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026 at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville, WA. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the Grace Bible Church in Colville, WA. A graveside service and vault internment will follow at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville, WA. Memorial contributions may be given to the Shriners Hospital of Spokane or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.