William "Bill" Huron Lake

William “Bill” Huron Lake passed away on August 24, 2023, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. He was born September 4, 1925, in Yakima, WA, and lived in Buena, Zillah and Yakima throughout his childhood.

In 1943, at the age of 18, Bill joined the Navy, where he contracted rheumatic fever and spent six months in a Navy hospital. He was sent to Whitman College for the V12 program.

In 1946, Bill took part in the first play at the Walla Walla Little Theater. He continued acting at the Little Theater until the ’70s, having the lead role in many plays. Bill graduated from Whitman College in 1947. Recently, he served as the 1947 class representative for Whitman College.

Bill met Susan Teague and married her in 1949, and they remained married for nearly 62 years. He started working as a parts manager at Teague Motor Company and retired in 1981.

Bill had been very active with Fort Walla Walla Museum until just recently, a place very dear to his heart. He served on the museum board in 1976 and became a part-time employee in 1982.

Bill served on the Fair Board in the 1950s. He belonged to the Lion’s Club and was the Walla Walla Valley Historical Society President in 1981. He was a member of BPOE for 50 years and also served on the Chamber of Commerce.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and served food to the homeless through their Loaves and Fishes program for many years.

He was loved by all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by a son and daughter, Sheila Lake Hair and Richard Charles “Chip” Lake; grandsons, Kevin Lake, Christopher Lake, and David Hair; son-in-law, John Hair and daughter-in-law, Gina Lake. Step grandchildren include John Hair III, Jacqui Hair, Jason Hair, Jacob, and Emily Rainbolt. He is preceded in death by a sister, Geraldine; a brother, Richard; his wife, Susan; and his son, William.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 1:00 PM, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

In memory of Bill, please make contributions to Fort Walla Walla Museum, The Little Theatre of Walla Walla, or St. Paul’s Loaves and Fishes program through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.