William Benton Potter

William (Bill) Potter passed away unexpectedly on February 21, 2026 at the age of 82.

Bill was born October 20, 1943 to Ray and Dorothy Potter and was the third of five children.  On November 3, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart Judy Harmon and they eventually had three children: Sheila, Gene and Clifford. 

Bill worked from a young age at the family dairy farm in Chewelah until his marriage at which time he became an Iron Worker.  His choice of career initiated many travel adventures as he followed work.  Bill made a career in the Union and in 1972 they decided it was time to put down some roots.  Bill and Judy decided a farm in Napavine would be a wonderful place to settle and raise their kids.  Eventually grandkids and great grandkids enjoyed making memories at that farm! One of Bill’s earlier jobs was in the construction of the Minute Man Missile silos in the Dakotas.   He then worked in the Bremerton Naval shipyards as a Certified Welder.  Once he became a Millwright he found himself working in Alaska, Oregon and Arizona. 

Anyone that knew Bill knew he loved to share stories about his adventures!  Family was important to him and after retirement he rarely missed a sporting event or activity the family was involved with.  He enjoyed travel, snowmobiling, camping and hunting in the mountains with his horses and mules and later his quad.  He looked forward to the annual camping trip where he and Judy would gather with his siblings and their families drawing together relatives from all over the state.

Bill had a real soft spot for any child knocking on his door raising money for a cause!  He also had a great heart for supporting the military and other charities.

He is survived by his wife Judy of 64 years, daughter Sheila (Jeff) Wilson, son Gene (Jill) Potter, brother Jim (Linda) Potter and sister Mary Kay (Pete) Rausch.  Five grandchildren: Alisha (Steven) Griffith, Brandon (Lisa) Wilson, Raychel (Kevin) Hoffman, Brady Potter, Emily (Conner) Blake and eight great grandchildren: Maesen and Layton Griffith, Cooper and Cyren Wilson, Grace Hoffman, Kasey, Mallory and Callan Blake and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son Clifford, brother Gary Potter, sister Janet Nussbaum, grandson Raymond Blake and his parents Ray and Dorothy.

There will be a graveside service at Napavine Cemetery Saturday, March 14 at 1:00 followed by a gathering at the Cowlitz River Ranch at 363 Brim Road, Onalaska WA 98570.  All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warriors Foundation or the Napavine Scholarship Fund.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Benton Potter, please visit our floral store.