Bill Grant

Bill Grant passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family and loved ones on Saturday, July 22, 2017. He died from injuries caused by a tragic accident.

Bill was born in Nampa, Idaho, on Feb. 20, 1932, to Clarence and Chlora Grant. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954. He graduated from the College of Idaho in 1958 with a degree in Zoology. After graduating, he became a social worker for the state of Idaho, covering four counties: Blaine, Camas, Lincoln and Gooding. While working in Blaine County, Bill met his wife, Betty Sticha, who worked at the Sun Valley Resort. They married in 1963. Soon thereafter, Bill became an entrepreneur, starting several small businesses while Betty was a nurse at St. Moritz in Sun Valley. A few of the businesses were: The Opportunity Shop and the Sear’s Catalogue Store on Main Street in Hailey.

Bill loved this area and made many real estate investments throughout the Wood River Valley. He became part owner of The Hiawatha Hotel, where he enjoyed seeing his children and others take their swim lessons in the natural hot springs pool. Bill felt strongly about serving his community. He was a probate judge for Blaine County and eventually was appointed by the state of Idaho as the first magistrate judge for Blaine County. During his time as a judge, he married many couples, performed many adoptions and was known for giving sentences of community service in lieu of jail in an effort to improve both the lives of the inmates and our community.

He was an example of a man who could think outside of the box. He went against the grain of the cliché adage “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” He was always evolving and often changed his job and taught himself anew to better provide for his family in an ever-expanding valley.

Beyond his work accomplishments, perhaps Bill was best known for happily raising six spirited daughters, keeping an open and loving house for any friends the girls brought home, quietly providing jobs and shelter for many homeless in our valley, taking his daughters and friends on numerous adventures and vacations, pulling them on the sled behind his pink Jeep “Old Willy,” and making his famous crepes for breakfast for his daughters and any of their friends that stayed over.

Bill was an honorable man, a devoted father and husband; an Idaho boy who loved to fly fish, bird hunt with his friends and play a rare game of golf. He was a champion of the spirit and believed that people could always improve, no matter what their circumstances. Most admirably, rather than becoming grumpier or more entitled as he grew older, he thought in a more open-minded way, became kinder, gave more hugs, listened more intently and said “I love you” often.

Many people in our community have supported our family and Bill. Among those are Sagebrush Stables (now Swiftsure Ranch), where Bill received equine therapy; Higher Ground, where he was able to experience one last run down Dollar Mountain on his 80th birthday; many caregivers who all allowed Betty and Bill to enjoy a normal life despite his injuries. Bill’s family is grateful for the extent of support these last 18 years. We would especially like to thank Wood River Fire and Rescue for bringing our father home so that he could die on his terms.

Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betty Grant; and his daughters: Pamela Grant of Sun Valley, Idaho; Mary Grant and her son, Jackson Coster, of Larkspur, Calif.; Kathleen Grant Khosrowshahi and her children, Chloe and Alexander Khosrowshahi, of Sun Valley, Idaho; Angela Grant and her sons, Emmet and Weylin Kettleband, of Hailey, Idaho; Theresa Grant Narasimhan, her husband Vivek Narasimhan, and their son Henry, of the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania and Boise, Idaho; adopted daughter, Danielle Klein, her husband Eric Klein, and their daughter Emri, of Whidbey Island, Wash.; and the numerous friends who called our house home. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Grant, who passed away in 1989.

A memorial for Bill will take place from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 6, at the Sawtooth Botanical Gardens. All are welcome to attend and celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Bill and Julie Grant Education Scholarship Fund, Make A Difference, Inc., PO Box 172, Hailey, ID 83333.