William Orville “Bill” Colvin

William Orville “Bill” Colvin, 80, of Idaho Falls, passed away January 17, 2024, at Idaho Falls Community Hospital. 

Bill was born December 29, 1943, in Butte, Montana, to John Henry Colvin and Helen Elizabeth Dye Colvin. He grew up and attended schools in Butte and graduated from Butte High School. 

He enjoyed baseball, boxing, and basketball. His older brother, Jack, coached his church basketball team and they played in the finals in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was a member of the “Top 16” musical performing group and they traveled and performed in Montana.  After graduation, Bill received on-the-job training as an electrical apprentice for the Butte Concentrator.

On September 1, 1973, he married Elizabeth Ann “Bette” Massey in Georgetown, Montana. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple on October 14, 2000. Bill and Bette made their home in Anaconda, Montana. In the summers, they enjoyed camping and being campground hosts at the Spring Hill Campground. After eleven years, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Bill worked as an electrician for the INL. He kept the power on at the Site for 28 years until his retirement in 2011. 

Bill was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed bowling, camping, riding motorcycles, music, singing, and playing the guitar. He was a mechanic and loved working on his motorcycles and cars. He kept a pristine garage. Every tool had its place. He was always serving others and took care of all the widows on Terry Drive. He was a friend to all, and if you were a stranger, it wasn’t for long. “Papa Bill” was the best dad and grandpa ever. He took his role as nanny, chauffeur, taxi driver, maid, coach, and lawn tech very seriously. His family was his greatest blessing and he loved spending time with them.

Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Bette Colvin of Idaho Falls; daughter, Lori (Ryan) Smith of Idaho Falls; sons, Kyle (Lesley) Colvin of Boca Raton, FL and Brandon Colvin of Idaho Falls; brother, Larry (Donna) Colvin of Butte, MT; sister, Sharon (Dennis) Dahlke of Downey, ID; grandchildren, Jacob, Marli, and Conor Smith; Ella, Jones, Kate, and Thea Colvin; Carson, Cooper, and Caroline Colvin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Colvin; grandson, Jaxon Ryan Smith; brother, Jack Willis Colvin; stepmother, Mildred Miller; sister-in-law, Thelma Colvin; and parents-in-law, Edward and Lucille Massey.

Funeral services were held on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road.  Burial was in the Ammon cemetery.