Obit: Bessey, Willis “Bill” #2 (1921 – 2007)
Poster: Crystal Wendt
Email: Post4LincolnCoWi@aol.com

Surnames: Bessey, Detert, Breijcha, DeAmicis, Rohrbaugh, Thomas

---Source: The Rexburg Standard Journal (Rexburg, Id) 11 Aug. 2007

---Bessey, Willis “Bill” (13Jan. 1921 – 10 Aug. 2007)

Willis "Bill" Bessey 1921-2007

Willis "Bill" Bessey, 86, of Ashton died Friday, Aug. 10, 2007, at the Ashton Living Center of natural causes. He was born January 13, 1921, in Merrill, Wis., to Herbert and Frieda Detert Bessey.

Bill grew up with a love and appreciation of music. He played the tuba in the high school band and later played the string bass in the orchestra.

He worked for Lockheed Boeing before joining the U.S. Navy during World War II. He also worked for a time for the Civilian Conservation Corps. After the war, Bill married Josephine Breijcha of Antigo, Wis. Bill and Jo were blessed with 61 years together. They came to Idaho on their honeymoon and never left. They began their married life at Mack's Inn, where Bill managed a gas station. In 1957, they moved to Ashton, and Bill operated a gas station (Texaco-Husky) for many years.

One of Bill's hobbies was woodworking. In addition to making things for his family, he also undertook many woodworking projects at Zion Lutheran Church. He was an active member at Zion and served on the board of trustees.

The other great love of his life was flying. He obtained his private pilot's license in Fremont County. He spent many weekend hours in the air as well as flying down to the Gulf of Mexico for occasional fishing trips with the late Dr. Krueger and other friends.

He is survived by his wife, Josephine of Ashton; his daughter Linda and her husband, Jan DeAmicis and their son, Justin, all of New Hartford, New York; a son Ted and his wife, Cindy, and their daughters Rachel and Samantha, all of Mountain Lake Park, Md.: and another daughter, Megan Rohrbaugh of Keiser, W.Va; and a son John of Ashton.

Bill leaves behind a special family friend Beverlee Thomas. Bill also leaves behind his special friend Jack Schneider.

The family also wishes to thank the staff of the Ashton Living Center. The center truly becomes a home and a community for its residents. The care and concern, the love and affection that has been given to our parents is appreciated beyond words.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ashton. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Baxter Funeral Home in Ashton, and Friday for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in the Ashton Pineview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the American Heart Association or to World Hunger in care of Zion Lutheran Church.