William Henry Rockwell, 86, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at 10 p.m. from complications of prostate cancer at the Valley View Retirement Community in Boise, Idaho. He was born Jan. 20, 1921, in Bellevue, Idaho, to his parents Vernie Lloyd Rockwell (born Indian Territory; Mounds, Okla.) and Mildred Aleen Gardner (born Eureka, Utah). William had two sisters, Fern and Ruth, and a younger brother, Clyde Thomas. Sadly, William was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, step-daughter (Nicole Stanfield-Winn) and second wife (June Deal).
As a youth, William attended the Hailey Elementary School and Hailey High School (1935-1939) where he was an honor student and a leader in his class. William's high school academic achievements earned him a $100 scholarship from Sears-Roebuck for the U of I Co11ege of Agriculture; on1y 25 were awarded in Idaho.
After high school graduation, William worked as a ranch hand in Stan1ey, Idaho, before taking a job with the West Coast Power Co. of Hailey, Idaho. On Jan. 10, 1942, William enlisted into the U.S. Navy in Salt Lake City, Utah. By the completion of his tour of duty, he earned the rank of Boatswain's Mate Second Class and received an honorable discharge at Bremerton, Wash., on Jan. 12, 1946.
After returning home from military service, William learned that Idaho Power bought West Coast Power. William then joined Idaho Power as an apprentice lineman and worked his way up the ranks. In 1947 he was promoted to lineman. He continued to move upward in responsibility to working foreman, line-working foreman, crew foreman and in 1966 to construction foreman with the specialized crews responsible for building virtually al1 of Idaho Power's major energy carriers. In 1968, William received his highest promotion to superintendent of line construction. William's career encompasses four years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, three years with the West Coast Power Co. and 43-1/2 years with the Idaho Power Co. before retiring in 1983.
William is survived by his ex-wife, Olivia Gabina (Moline) Troutner, of Boise; children from his first marriage, (twin sons) William Patrick (wife Andrea) of Boise, Idaho, and Michael David (wife Claudette) of Burbank, Calif.; four grandchildren, Darcy Rockwell Lofing, Philip Rockwell, Shawntel Rockwell-Grantham, and Rochelle Rockwell; four great-grandchildren, Dyllon and Adam Lofing, Hailey Grantham and Ivan Rockwell.
Viewing and services were held Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, at the Cloverdale Funeral Home, Boise, Idaho (208-375-2212). Graveside services with full military honors and interment were at the Terrace Lawn Memorial Gardens. A reception was be held at the Cloverdale Funeral Home reception center.
