William Herbert Wilske, Jr. fought his final battle on July 4, 2023, with a courageous battle with cancer and a broken heart at the age of 90.

Dad was born on January 6, 1933, first born son to William Wilske, Sr. and Lydia Mae Workman Wilske in American Falls, Idaho. Growing up in American Falls, Dad learned at a young age what hard work was all about. He worked alongside of his Dad at their family wheat farm and helped with several farms throughout American Falls.

Dad graduated from American Falls High School in 1951, not long after graduation he married Carolyn Washburn, then later divorced. Dad and Carolyn’s little family grew in the short time that they were married and they had three beautiful children, Rodney, Debbie, and Bryan. Dad was drafted during the Korean War in 1954 and continued to fight for his Country until the war ended in December of 1957. After the war, he continued to work with his Dad on the farm while raising three small children on his own with the help of his family. Dad was set up on a blind date with a beautiful single mother of one, Jerry Leon from Emery County. It was love at first site, shortly after a few more dates Dad decided to ask Mom to marry him.

Dad and Mom (LoyDeane Carter Davis) were married on May 11, 1963. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 30, 1967. His little family of four had now grown to a family of six. Dad and Mom made their home in American Falls where Dad continued to work on the family farm while Mom owned and operated a small beauty shop. In September of 1967, they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Cheryl Lynn. To them their family was complete but to their surprise 15 months later in December of 1969, along came another beautiful baby girl, Diana Leigh.

They moved to Tuscan, Arizona when Diana was 18 months old so Dad could finish his schooling to be a mechanic. In November of 1972, they welcomed the caboose of the family a beautiful baby boy, Robert Loyal. Their little family was no longer little. Dad worked in the copper mines in Arizona until they closed and Dad found work in the coal mines in Utah. Rodney, Debbie, Bryan, and Jerry were all grown by this time and out on their own so they all stayed in Arizona while Dad packed up Mom, Cheryl, Diana, and Robert and moved them to Mom’s hometown of Elmo in 1978 where he started to work at Plauteu Mine until he was disabled in 1988 and could no longer work.

Mom sold her beauty shop in Price and she and Dad started traveling and working as camp hosts in Flaming George, Mt. Whitney, California, and in the winter months in Yuma, Arizona. Dad and Mom served a Senior LDS Mission in Thailand in March of 1995. Dad and Mom made many friends in all of their travels that they continued to keep in touch with throughout the years. Dad loved fishing, we would travel to American Falls to see family. Grandpa and Dad would spend their days out on American Falls Reservoir catching fish and bringing it home for Grandma and Mom to can.

Dad was not of many words but when he wanted to talk you listened. Dad’s last few months consisted of sitting out in his beautiful patio talking and telling his childhood memories to all that stopped by to visit. Dad loved getting together with his family and you could ensure a water fight would break out with usually Dad starting it. Dad was a kid at heart; always teasing the nieces and nephews growing up and then the grandkids. No one was safe from Dad’s teasing and water fights and you knew you were in trouble when Dad broke out the garden hose during one of his many water fights. No one was safe, even in the house he would drag the hose in there just to get you. Mom on the other hand was not impressed. Dad was the life of the party and everyone loved Uncle Billy.

Dad was survived by his faithful companion, Simone; his six children, Rodney Wilske, Garden City, Utah, Debbie Larsen, Park City, Utah, Bryan (Debbie) Wilske, Denver, Colorado, Cheryl (Mike) Nelson, Castle Dale, Utah, Diana Lodeserto (Mike Allred), Cleveland, Utah, and Robert (Bonnie) Wilske, Tampa, Florida; 23 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Riley, Pocatello, Idaho and Paulette (Russ) Brotnov, Clear Water, Idaho, one brother, Jimmy Wilske, Pocatello, Idaho; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Colleen (Art) Jones, Henefer, Utah, Linda (Pete) Mottishaw, Pocatello, Idaho, Carolyn (Dirk) Harris, Rigby, Idaho, Stanley (Juanita) Willson, Elmo, Utah, and Carlene Willson, Price, Utah.

Preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 60 years; parents, William and Lydia Wilske; in-laws, Clarence and Ronda Willson, Loyal Carter; son, Jerry Wilske; grandson, Preston Lodeserto; brothers, Lowell and Stephen Wilske; sister, Janet Ruff; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clifton and Micki Carter, Carma and Jack Sherman, and Stephen Willson; son-in-law, Nolan Larsen; and daughter-in-law, Ira Wilske.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mitchell Funeral Home, CNS (Community Nursing Services), Michelle Priano and Candace Anderson for their amazing care they gave both Mom and Dad. Bruce and Tammy Pierce for always being there for Mom and Dad at the drop of a hat. Stanley and Juanita Willson for helping give extra love and care for Mom and Dad. Chase Sherman for the special visits with Dad and teasing him about kissing him goodbye on his forehead when you left; he loved you Chase and especially loved telling you the stories of his childhood. To aunt Mary, for being here to help with Dad during his last few days, even though most the time he slept, I know he enjoyed just having you there. To everyone that we may have forgotten, thank you all for your love and care for Dad and all the special visits you gave him.

In lieu of flowers the family would like any donations to go to the Senior Wishes at CNS (Community Nursing Services): https://www.cns-cares.org/senior-wish-program

Funeral service, Saturday, July 8, 2023, 11:00 a.m., Elmo Ward Chapel. The family will receive friends from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Elmo Town Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of William online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net