William (Bill) Jessett

William "Bill" Jessett died June 8, 2016. He was 88.

He was born April 28, 1928, in Pullman. He was the oldest of three sons born to Alfred William Jessett and Elma Newkirk Jessett.

He spent his childhood and teen years in Odessa, graduating from Odessa High School as valedictorian. Bill attended Washington State College for several years before moving to Washougal, the home of his grandparents. Bill worked at the Crown Zellerbach (Georgia-Pacific)paper mill for 30 years, retiring as steam plant supervisor.

Bill married Virginia Gibson and they had four children: Michael, Philip, Sandra and Vickie. In 1973, he married Idell McEnry and acquired stepchildren Larry, Kenneth and Cindy.

Bill was well known for his many volunteer activities, including Chess Club, Toastmasters, Lions Club and the start of St. Anne's Episcopal Mission Church in Washougal, Christian Renewal and Kairos Prison Ministry. He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Camas for the past 22 years and a volunteer for the Inter-Faith Treasure House in Washougal for more than 30 years. He received many awards for his service to the community.

Bill was best known for his signature red hat, red shirt, red socks, frog shirts, frog pins on his hat and bird feathers. He would say the acronym FROG meant "Fully Rely on God." Bill will be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, father, brother Loren Jessett and his first wife Virginia.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Idell Jessett of Washougal; children Michael Jessett, Philip Jessett (Sue), Sandra Bolinsky (Mike) and Vickie Armstrong (Dan); three stepchildren; brother Steven Jessett (Barbara) of Spokane; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several cousins.

A service will be held Wednesday, July 13, at 2 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to Zion Lutheran Church, Washougal Lions Club, Inter-Faith Treasure House or a charity of choice.