Irving "Bill" William Mahre Obituary (1938 - 2026)

Bill passed away on July 9, 2026 in his home after a short bout with biliary duct carcinoma. He was born in Yakima on August 22, 1938 to Irving Phillip and Dorothy Beatrice (Rutherford) Mahre. Bill’s life can be defined by his strong work ethic, his positive attitude, his warm happy smile and his love of the outdoors while working and playing. He was always friendly and willing to talk with most anyone. When meeting someone new he would quickly share his life story! Growing up in an apple orchard farming family, Bill quickly learned the importance of hard work … from milking cows to cleaning stalls and smudging late into the morning. He was instilled early with a work ethic. No playing until the chores were done! Bill loved the outdoors from an early age, and having three big brothers to take him fishing, hiking, hunting and skiing was always an adventure. Shortly after graduation from West Valley High School, Bill and two buddies joined the Marine Corps Reserves and were sent to Camp Pendleton in California. Over the next few years Bill fulfilled his military obligations while becoming an expert marksman in the process. Bill was proud of his military service and was a Marine through and through. After completing his six months boot camp in the Marines, Bill returned home to Yakima and farming with his father and uncles. He also started to work at White Pass where he taught skiing and ran the ski patrol in the early years. He took up flying for a short time and earned his private license in a Cessna. In March of 1969 he and Cindy were married and they continued to live on the ranch in West Valley. Farming and working the land became Bill’s life; he took great care in keeping his orchard looking neat and the same went for all the gardens around his home … especially the roses! You could say that the land and earth are what kept him grounded. Though still farming apples, he went to college at age 31 and accomplished getting his BA degree at Central WA State College. Bill’s children learned early about his hard work ethic as he taught each how to drive a tractor, change sprinkler lines, thin apple trees and light smudge pots! At the same time, he loved to take them camping, fishing, hiking and skiing. Weekends when the kids were young were usually spent at White Pass skiing in the winter and water skiing at Vantage in the summer … usually with extra kids and dogs along! Or sometimes fishing and camping at Blue Lake or salmon fishing at Neah Bay or LaPush. An avid skier from his grade school years into his eighties … he was always happy on a ski slope. Bill and Cindy and the kids hiked many trails throughout the Northwest. Bill climbed both Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier with his older brother Dave. When still farming it was easy for Bill to transition into owning Loo Wit Gardens nursery along with Cindy for the next 30 years. Again, being around plants and the outdoors kept him focused! After retiring from orchards, he went to work for 18 years as a grounds supervisor at Apple Tree Golf Course. He took great pride in keeping the golf course grounds and flower beds looking perfect. And was able to play a little golf when not working! He loved taking his grandkids to be his caddies while he golfed. Bill loved to travel and he and Cindy took many memorable trips to ski, golf or tennis destinations … road trips throughout the Northwest, the Southwest, Mexico, Costa Rica, Europe and a special 55th anniversary cruise on the Danube River. Many of those road trips were taken with his adored grandkids, Cynthia and Jon. Family was most important to Bill … he thoroughly enjoyed being together with family and friends for any and all holiday or birthday celebrations. He loved animals and always had a dog or 3! by his side … they loved changing sprinklers with him! There were always treats in his cart for the dogs along his routes at Apple Tree. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Dorothy Mahre, brothers David and Tim Mahre, and sister Patricia Erickson. Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Cindy (Rider), daughter Elizabeth (Tim) Hronek, son Tony (Suzanne) Mahre; grandchildren: Cynthia Hronek, Jonathan Hronek, and Nicholas Mahre; brother John (Carol) Mahre, Bothell, WA, sisters: Sally (Glen) Atterberry and Peggy Urlacher; brothers in law: Jon (Maggie) Rider, and Jeff (Narcy) Rider; sisters in law, Melanie Rider and Lisa (David Adams) Rider; numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, dear friend Jordan Ansingh and cherished dogs Sunny and Tolka. The family would especially like to thank our MultiCare Hospice team: Laura, Maria L., Maria B., Jeff, Michelle, Delma, Vanessa, Marisa, Kathryn, Dan and Eryn … for helping us navigate this difficult journey with Bill. Your kindness and caring thoughts meant so much. There will be a private Celebration of Life held at a later date. Donations can be made to a favorite charity, the Yakima Valley Community Band or to the Yakima Humane Society. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Bill will always be remembered for his warm smile and his love of life and the land. We will truly miss that bright smile! Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Visit www.brooksidefuneral.com to share a memory or leave a condolence for the family.