William Gordon Banman

William (Bill) Banman passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, at the age of 90.

William was born July 1, 1924, in Yakima, to Gordon and Maevys Banman. He graduated from Yakima High School and later attended the Kennewick Business College.

On July 27, 1942, William enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces, serving his country during World War II in the 6th Radar Calibration Detachment attached to the 404th Bomb Squadron. After the war, William met and later married Berniece Faust on Oct. 28, 1946. They later settled in Lewiston, where they raised their three daughters. In 1973, William was transferred to Boise, working for the Idaho Credit Union League as a consultant and controller. He was Idaho's first certified credit union executive. He retired in 1986.

As a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Lewiston, William was an active fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus and served as a grand knight. He was a lector, eucharistic minister and sacristan. William was a life member of the Lewiston Elks Lodge, American Legion and The Forty and Eight. He was actively involved in volunteer activities at the Nazareth Retreat Center, Community Food Bank and St. Vincent De Paul Society. The activity William loved the most was his service at the World Center for Birds of Prey, where he conducted tours, using a live peregrine falcon, and trained new volunteers.

William loved to golf, bowl, read and work crossword puzzles. He enjoyed music, playing both piano and guitar. He and Berniece enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren.

William is survived by his wife of 68 years, Berniece; three daughters, Kathy (Charles) Spencer, Donna (Richard) Buch, and Mary Baum; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

A rosary will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Road, Meridian, Idaho. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m., also at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, with burial at 2 p.m. at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

Remembrances may be left for the family at www.accentfuneral.com. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.