William M. Borup, W7OTL SK SK June 6, 2015 Age 101 William M. (Bill) Borup Nov. 20, 1913 - June 6, 2015 William McKim (Bill) Borup was born 20 Nov 1913 in Manard, Idaho, to William Thomas and Essie Idella (Lee) Borup. His family moved to Emmett in 1917. His father worked at the Boise Payette sawmill. Bill started working there when he was 14 years old. At that time, they let the kids of sawmill employees work in the box factory during the summer. He stayed out his senior year of high school to work to help his family but went back the following year and graduated from Emmett High School in 1932. In December of that same year, he married Velna Marie Sprague in the Salt Lake LDS temple and they began their life together in Emmett. He worked at the sawmill full time until he went to work at the US Post Office in Emmett in 1942. He worked there for 32 years - taking a disability retirement in 1974. That same year he purchased a mobile home and put it on his property and moved his aging parents there so he could take care of them. They lived there for 7 years before they died. He loved to go camping and hunt and fish with his family. His main hobby that has lasted through the years was his amateur Ham radio. He became a licensed operator in July 1950 and still maintains his license. He has talked to people all over the world. He lived in his own home until his 100th birthday. Shortly after that, when he moved to Serenity Assisted Living, Serenity owner Tim Vickery got up on the roof and put a radio antenna up so he could continue to check in on the net every week. Bill was diagnosed in 1969 with a motor neuron disease - a type of disease like Lou Gehrig's Disease. This crippled his right hand. He was determined to not let this keep him from doing anything he wanted to do. He loved to work. His son-in-law, Arlie, says he dug holes and then filled them up again just to have something to do. That made it hard for him after his body would no longer let him dig those holes. In his mind, he was still a 20-year-old. He would get started on projects and then call on Arlie to help finish them. Bill was a faithful caregiver. After taking care of his parents for many years, his loving wife developed Alzheimer's and he took care of her for many years until he had to move her into the Cottages, an assisted living home in Emmett, when he had a heart attack and had to have heart surgery at the age of 90. The doctor was reluctant in doing heart surgery on a 90-year-old, but he came through it with flying colors. He was "bound and determined" in everything he did. He never stopped learning. He was blessed with a good mind and memory and we were all blessed to be able to hear his stories. He could always remember the names of people he had known or worked with. He had seen many changes in his life. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many positions. One of his favorites was that of a Scout Master, where he served for many years. He went on 2 50-mile hikes and 2 national Jamborees - 1958 in Santa Anna, CA and 1974 at Farragut, ID. He also received the Silver Beaver Scouting Award. At age 101, he bought himself a new headphone for his ipod. As recently as a couple of weeks ago, he was skyping with his son, Kim, who lives in Utah. Bill lost most of his sight and his hearing and it was frustrating to him because he still had a lot of things he wanted to do, but he made the best of a bad situation and was an example for all who knew him. Surviving him are his children: Colleen (Don) Dewey of Ontario, OR, Clella (Arlie) Stiles of Emmett, Nyla Lee Smith of Layton, UT, Vicki (David) Johnson of Shelley, ID and Kim Borup of Clearfield, UT, 17 grandchildren, 50 great grandchildren and 33 great great grandchildren, brothers, Rex and Keith Borup. In addition to his wife, Velna; he was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, LeeRoy and Byron Borup; sisters, Melba Pope and Idella Larsen; grandson, Michael Fowler and 2 great granddaughters, Jamie Rood and Maren Welker. The family wishes to thank Dr. Thomson and his staff and all the good people at Meadow View for their kindness toward him. He loved all the people there and was a friend to all of them. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 10th at 2:00 PM at the LDS Stake Center, 980 W Central RD. Viewing will be 1 hour prior to the services at the Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett. Funeral Home Potter Funeral Chapel 228 East Main Street Emmett, ID 83617 (208) 365-4491 Funeral Home Details Send Flowers Published in Emmett Messenger Index on June 10, 2015 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/me...&pid=175030210&fhid=6421#sthash.FnLmmq2X.dpuf
