- Date Of Birth: February 25, 1927
- Date Of Death: March 6, 2022
- State: Idaho
William “Bill” S. Varin, of Gooding entered into peace on March 6, 2022 at Bennett Hills Care Facility in Gooding, Idaho.
Bill and his twin sister – Betty were born February 25, 1927, in Gooding to Percy William and Marian Elizabeth Steele Varin. Bill and Betty were able to come together to celebrate their ‘95th’ birthday in February.
He grew up and attended schools in Gooding. He enjoyed the sporting activities including football and boxing. In 1944, he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines, completed basic training at the USMSTS Base on Catalina Island, California.
Upon returning to Gooding, he started farming. He married the love of his life – Alma Kerner. They met at the “Chicken House” in Hagerman, Idaho, dancing to the Russ Pike 5 Orchestra. They were married October 23, 1947 at the Karl Kerner homestead in Shoshone, Idaho. From that point on, you never heard one of their names without the other, it was always Bill and Alma. The couple was blessed with three children – Kevan, Marilyn, and Marlene.
He was a proud hard-working Rancher and Farmer, breaking out sagebrush for crops, milking cows, raising sheep, dairy heifers and beef cattle. The life he cherished was having Alma and their children working and playing by his side.
His family was always a top priority. Dad and Mom supported and encouraged their children and grandchildren in all the numerous school sports and social activities. Bill and Alma attended most home games of the Gooding Senators for football and basketball for many years until their health would not allow them to do so. Bill was an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Future Farmers of America, Gooding Chapter. He was the leader of the Thorn Creek Livestock 4-H Club, leading, teaching, and supporting his children and many other area children. August was a month of preparing for the Gooding County Fair with all his children and club members. It took his old Chevy pickup numerous trips to town to get everyone’s 4-H livestock projects into the fairground’s barns.
Bill and Alma were honored to donate the One Room Thorn Creek School House to the Gooding County Historical Society for the public to enjoy.
After retirement Bill and Alma traveled with wonderful friends, enjoying camping trips to the beautiful mountains of Idaho, a trip to Hawaii, winter trips to Yuma, and a cruise to Mexico, and camper caravan trips everywhere including Alaska. He was always up for a good card game of Gin Rummy, Pinochle and Pitch with his children, grandchildren, and friends. When he was keeping score, he was likely to come out the winner, he was excellent at adding scores in his head. He also was known by his family for never forgetting birthdays for his immediate family as well as his sisters, brother-in laws and sister in-laws, nieces, and nephews! Remembering well over 150 Varin and Kerner family member’s birthdays.
He is survived by: his children – Kevan (Cody) Varin of Gooding ID, Marilyn (Dan) Yore of Hagerman ID, and Marlene (Brad) Gardner, Idaho Falls ID. Grandchildren – Kelly (Michelle) Yore, Fairfield ID, Janie (Brandon) Swanson, Bellevue ID, Matt (Kim) Yore, Riverton UT, Katie (Lee) Weller, Enterprise, OR, Carrie (Chris Brown) Gardner Durant, Nampa, ID, Will (Layne) Varin, Boise ID, and Peter (Dawn Giannini) Gardner, Idaho Falls ID. He was known as “Pops” to his Great-Grandchildren – Elly Yore, Lacy Yore, Ashley Uhlorn, Samantha Uhlorn, Jayden Weller, Jackson Weller, Barrett Yore, Joseph “Joey” Durant, Tanner Wolf, Laken Wolf, Keely Wolf and Nolan Wolf. He is also survived by his twin sister – Betty Brown of Glenns Ferry, ID; sister – Donna Lawson, Morristown, TN. Brother-in-law – Carl Kerner and his wife Dorothy of Shoshone, ID; and sister-in-law – Alvina Colter of Gooding, ID
He was proceeded in death by Alma, his wife of 72 years; his mother and father; sister – Jeanne Powell; infant twin brothers – Edward and Harry Varin, and step-mother – Idell Varin.
Thank you to the staff at Bennett Hills Care Center and DeSano Place for the loving care they gave our Dad and our family.
We will miss this quiet giant of a man and his smile and the twinkle in his eye. Enjoy your peace and reunion in Heaven with all those you loved. We will cherish the loving values you instilled upon us… Until we meet again.
