Headline: Billy Frank Luginbill January 12, 1942 - October 18, 2024

Billy Luginbill, always up for an adventure--and with no hospital available--took his first breath on January 12, 1942 in a now historic motel in smalltown Seligman, Arizona. In the space of a few years, Billy was toddling off to an adventuresome life in Barstow, Calif., where he made lifelong friends and formed a deep love for the Mohave Desert.

Tall and lanky, basketball found Bill and his path forward through Barstow High School (1960), Barstow Junior College and California Baptist College (CBU) in Riverside where he had been recruited on a sports scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Voted the Best Looking Senior, he caught the eye of Lucy Luginbill and they married August 13, 1965 promising to always kiss goodnight and goodbye each day. Daughters Traci Dawn (1969) and Tiffany Beth (1972) completed their circle of love.

Bill's first teaching jobs were at Barstow High School and Kennedy High School. But after 10 years and tenured, the pull of the Northwest was strong. So in 1978, equipped with a Masters Degree (California State University San Bernardino), he bravely moved his family to Kennewick, Wash., without the promise of a job. Providentially, he was immediately hired at Kamiakin High School where he taught social sciences for 26 years and coached boys and girls basketball--experiences he loved.

Armed with a job in their new community--and not much money--next came another exploit. Bill, who'd moved a water heater once, figured he could build a house nail by nail on 5 acres in Badger Canyon. The family home stands today as a testament to his strength, determination and courage. In time, the man became the land as he planted trees, gardened, mowed, and raised beef cattle. In between, he helped with new construction at Columbia Community Church where a slide off the steep metal roof deepened his faith in God. He also taught adult Sunday School and was Chairman of the Board for several terms until he realized it conflicted with bird and deer hunting.

An avid hunter, fisherman, canoer, scuba diver, bicyclist, camper and backpacker, Bill experienced the northwest with family and friends. Highlights were the Seattle to Portland Bike Race three times, a month-long trip as rafting crew on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, and bicycling the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes in tandem with Lucy. Road trips together-- "backseat driving" included--cruises, and destination flights created many travel adventures in the USA, Mexico and Europe that could fill a storybook of memories.

Bill's legacy is "the farm" and his family: Wife Lucy Luginbill, daughter Traci LaRosa (Eddie), daughter Tiffany Wallach (Elliott), grandchildren Justin Hepler and Ashley (Hepler) Cosenza, Hunter and Hailey LaRosa, Luke and Joshua Wallach, Jessica Otero, (Steven), greatgrandchildren Ethan Hepler, Enzo and Emma Otero, Paisley Rose, Sutton Lucille and Collins Birdie Cosenza. All love him deeply and hold special memories in their hearts. He also leaves behind brothers Ron Luginbill (Barbara) of Lake Roseger, Wash., Jim Luginbill (Cindy) and Bob Luginbill (Ollie) of Amarillo, Texas and many nephews, nieces and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin (Bill) and Marjorie Luginbill and his best friend, Ted Baca of Barstow, California.

Billy's most heroic feat was walking through cancer of the appendix for 9 years with an amazing attitude. Following each of his 5 surgeries, he was known as "the running man", often wearing his Superman shirt and cape, determined to walk and recover. His words, "Good morning, Gorgeous!" greeted Lucy every single day until his voice fell silent. Billy took his last breath before dawn on October 18, 2024 with his wife of 59 years by his side as he left on the greatest adventure of all with Jesus. We can only imagine.

Note: Upon Bill's request there will be no formal service. Instead, there will be a public remembrance to honor him with a tree planting in 2025. Sign and share memories in the Guestbook at www.hillcrestfunerals.com/