William "Bill" Melvin Carruthers, age 90, a longtime resident of Kettle Falls, WA passed away on November 11, 2022.  Bill was born in Trego, MT on January 17, 1932 the son of William Wilson and Hazel Amanda (Johnson) Carruthers.

He was raised in Montana's Tobacco Valley and worked on the family farm and later the family Christmas Tree farm.  Bill graduated in 1950 from Lincoln County High School in Eureka, Montana.  After a year of planting trees for the Forest Service, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years from June of 1951 to June of 1955.  Bill was honorably discharged and moved to Kettle Falls, WA where he went into business with his brother-in-law, Hubert Reed.  Together they formed and ran Reed and Carruthers Logging.  Bill would later venture in business for himself as a log truck owner and operator.  It was during this time that he met, Lorena Anderson.  They were married in September of 1960 and welcomed their first child, Rhonda, in December of 1961.  Their family grew to four, with the birth of their second child, Bill in May of 1963.  After selling his logging truck in 1974, Bill worked at Matney Lumber Company, Plum Creek Timber Company and Colville Valley Concrete Corp. before retiring to spend more time with Lorena.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.  He was an avid trap shooter for more than 40 years at the Kettle Falls Gun Club and shared his love of the sport with his entire family.  Bill volunteered countless hours helping community kids in Little League, Babe Ruth baseball, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and the gun club.  He was a man who always kept busy, put the needs of others before his own, worked hard and provided well.   Bill served others with kindness, compassion and selflessness.  His genuinely good and uplifting nature, smile and warm character will be cherished and not forgotten.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hazel; his sister, Jeanette Reed and his wife, Lorena.

He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Stone (Pat) of Houston, TX; son, Bill Carruthers (Bobbi) of Spokane, WA; grandchildren, Skyler Carruthers, Sterling Carruthers and Samantha Stone.

A time of visitation will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, November 18, 2022 at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville, WA.  Bill will be laid to rest in a vault interment beside his wife, Lorena, at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville, WA.  Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of your choice.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com .  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.