William Gene Kuykendall

Born December 14, 1929, in Seattle Washington to Wayne and Alice Kuykendall, his family ventured east of the cascades to Leland ID where he grew up. After graduating from Kendrick High School, he worked for local farmers and in the grain industry in the Kendrick area. In 1951 he was drafted into the Army and served in Holland and Germany during the Korean War. Returning back to the farmers in 1953 eventually moving to Portland, OR where he met his wife Joan Benhardt in 1965.

Bill and Joan married November 3, 1966 and welcomed their first child John Scott in 1969. Then along came Dawn JoAnna in 1971 and Douglas Wayne in 1973. In 1975 the family moved to Reardan, WA to take over Joan’s parent’s business, Benhardt Building Supply, and in 1976 welcomed their fourth child William James.

Bill stayed busy in the community installing home water systems throughout Eastern WA and Northern Idaho, volunteering on the Mule Days committee organizing the Mule Chase Fun Run and helping children with 4H and FFA.

Bill officially retired from installing well systems in 2014 and he and his wife spent the next 10 years traveling, attending grandchildren’s sporting events, graduations and weddings. In his spare time you could find Bill playing on his D4 Caterpillar, tending to his large garden or reading books on local native history.

Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan (Benhardt) Kuykendall; son John Scott (Kelly); daughter Dawn (Rodney)Kardokus; son Doug (Kelli); son Will; brother, Richard Kuykendall; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother Elroy and sister Cleo.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Assured Hospice of Moses Lake, WA for their care and support during this difficult time.

Graveside service is planned for Friday April 11, at 1:00 pm the Cameron Cemetery in Kendrick, ID.