William D. Lewis, 27 April 1921
William D. “Dean” Lewis passed away December 24, 2002 at Veteran’s Memorial Hospital. Dean was born April 27, 1921 to John and Mary “Mollie” Lewis in Malad, ID. The third of seven children, Dean exemplified the Lewis family predisposition for athletic ability and was described as one of the most versatile athletes in Idaho high school sports history. A Malad High School 1939 graduate, he was an athletic standout as the first to win five letters in one year. After high school, he attended Albion State Normal College, Albion, ID from 1939 to 1942 where his athletic prowess continued. Described as their most feared man on the football field, he was captain of both the football and track teams, lettering two years in both sports; establishing state shot put and discus records. While in Albion, he also played two years of semi-professional basketball. After completing two years of academic study, he transferred to the University of Idaho. From 1941-42, as captain of the football team, he earned two letters in football and made third team All Pacific Coast Conference. He earned two letters in track as the low hurdles champion in the college conference. In 1942, his name was inscribed on the Douglas Dingle Memorial Track trophy as the senior who, in the estimation of his teammates, is outstanding in competitive achievement, sportsmanship and character throughout his career in track at the university.
In 1941, he met Louise Honeychurch during a blind date. They were engaged in 1942, the same year both the Cleveland Rams and the US Government drafted him. He spent three years of active combat duty in WWII serving in the US Army 37th infantry division as a private first class in the South Pacific Theatre, fighting in Bougainville, Luzon, Guadalcanal and New Georgia. During his military service he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement on Luzon and later presented two Oak Leaf clusters in lieu of a 2nd and 3rd Bronze Star Medal for heroic actions against the enemy. He received the Combat Infantryman badge for exemplary conduct in combat action in a major operation and he wore the Asiatic-Pacific campaign badge with battle stars. In 1945, he returned home with severe malaria.
After enduring a three year wait, Dean and Louise were married February 21, 1946 in Spokane, WA. He returned to the U of I from 1946-47 concentrating on track. At that time NY Giants scouts offered Dad a tryout for the franchise, but the malaria had taken its toll on his health. He graduated in 1947 with a BS in Education. In 1953 he returned to earn his M.S.
From 1947-63 Dad was employed at Nampa High School. He fondly remembered his tenure in Nampa. In addition to his responsibility as a senior high instructor and university of Idaho Extension instructor, his lifetime love of sports continued in a coaching capacity. He spent nine years as assistant football coach/head line coach and in 1949 was named Idaho East-West All-Star football game coach, the only assistant coach to be named an all-star coach; three years as head football coach, six years as boxing coach, one year as girl’s tennis coach and 11 years as head track coach where he lead Nampa to its first state track championship in 1951 and again in 1952.
In 1949-51 Dad was Boise-Snake River Valley all-star football business manager. In 1951, a 49ers representative contacted him for a tryout. Dad declined the invitation explaining he didn’t feel his health would prevail. In 1959-62 he served as PE coordinator for the entire Nampa School District including seven elementary schools, two junior highs and the senior high school, 1958-63 he officiated football.
While at Nampa, he and Louise became the parents of four children, thre boys and one girl. In 1963, he left Nampa to take a position with the newly established Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, OR. As a PE instructor he started with the new football program as assistant football coach in 1963, taking over the head coach position in 1964. In addition to his classroom duties, he coached track, intramural and lifetime sports. He remained at TVCC until his retirement in 1983. In November 15, 2000 he was inducted into the Idaho High School Hall of Fame where he was added to the U of I high school football “Wall of Honor”.
He as a member of A.F. and A.M. Masonic Lodge #29, Nampa, ID; member and past worshipful master, Acacia Lodge #118, Ontario, OR; member and past illustrious master baker council #16; member and past high priest, Zadoc Chapter #34 R.A.M.; member and past commander, Baker Commandery #9. He was also a member of Scottish Rite, El Kador Shrine and Snake River Shrine Club. He was past patron star chapter #69, Ontario and past associate guardian, Jobs Daughters Bethel #25, Ontario.
He was a life member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and a member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Surviving family members include Louise, his wife of 56 years; his son, Larry Lewis; his son and daughter in law, Don and LaRena Lewis; his daughter, Deanene Lewis (Marcus Bishop); his son, Randy Lewis; his grandchildren, Jessica Lewis (Larry Chapman); Kelly and Justin Peterson; Matthew Lewis; Levi Lewis and Logan Lewis; his brothers, Leonel Lewis; Marlo and Dorothy Lewis; Barney Lewis; Jack and Donna Lewis; Ray and Lois Lewis. He was preceded in death by his sister, nada Sylvester.
Dad has suffered through these last years with the immense pain of a battle worn body, but did so in the same manner he prevailed in sports and three years of war. Dad exemplified courage, resolve, dignity, strength, endurance, moral fortitude and integrity. He is a man who treasured his family, his faith and his country. He is a man respected, honored, adored, and loved by his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. A soldier died today – he is missed.
A life celebration was held on December 30 in the Alameda Elementary gym in Ontario, OR.