William Lester Grafmiller

April 4, 1942 – August 18, 2024

William “Bill” Grafmiller, 82, of Spokane, WA, was called home by Jesus on August 18, 2024. Born on April 4, 1942, in Spokane, Bill lived a life full of dedication, love, and passion.

Bill graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1960 and soon after joined the Navy, proudly serving his country. His professional career began in the grocery business, where he worked at URM. After dedicating over 30 years to the company, Bill retired, but his journey was far from over.

In 1965, Bill married the love of his life, Mary, and they remained devoted to each other for nearly 59 years until his passing. Their marriage was a true testament to a lifetime of shared love and devotion. Early on, some of his hobbies were running, playing baseball, and racquetball.

Following his retirement, Bill decided to explore a new path and became a janitor for the Central Valley School District (CVSD). He often said that this was the best job he ever had, finding joy and fulfillment in the work he did and the people he met, including the educators and students whose lives he touched.

Bill was a man of many passions. He took the necessary courses and became a certified golf club maker, turning his love for the sport into a unique craft. Additionally, he owned and operated his own janitorial business for several years. However, it was when he rediscovered his childhood train set that Bill found a new hobby. He dedicated an entire room in his home to creating a detailed train system, a project that brought him immense joy.

He also took up fly fishing, and although he never caught the "big one," it was the scenery and peacefulness of the experience that he truly cherished.

Above all, Bill cherished his family. He was a loving father to his daughters, Tracie and Tammie, and a proud grandfather to his five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Bill was someone who could always make you laugh and often reminded others not to take life too seriously. He was known as a jokester, sharing his sense of humor with everyone he met, right up until the very end. The countless stories of how he made people laugh are a testament to the joy he brought into the lives of others. He was one of the good ones.

A celebration of Bill's life is scheduled for Monday, September 16th, from 10 AM to 1 PM (open house) at Ball and Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 W Wellesley. Join us for fellowship from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, and an officiant message will be given at 11:30 AM. We invite you to share your most memorable memory of Bill.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Hospice of Spokane team, the VA Care team, and the Visiting Angels caregivers. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made in Bill Grafmiller's honor to the Hospice House of Spokane or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Bill's legacy is one of hard work, passion, humor, and deep love for his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.