Billy Stoddard

On Friday, August 14, 2018, Billy Dean Stoddard, beloved husband and father of three, passed away of natural causes in his home at the age of 84. Billy was born on January 14, 1934, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, to Roy and Mable Stoddard. He attended country grade school in Lincoln until they moved to Portland, Oregon. Billy then attended Lincoln High School until he graduated in the last class of the "Old Lincoln High," before the building permanently became a part of Portland State University at Lincoln Hall. Upon graduating from high school in 1953, Billy joined the Army and was stationed in France. He began a written courtship with his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Louise Marie Dopita. He proposed by mail, and she sailed over France where they married in Bar Le Duc, France, on December 19, 1953. They continued in France, where they had their first daughter, Deborah, who was born in an Army hospital in Verdun, France in 1955. After Billy finished his service, the three moved to Portland, Oregon where second daughter, Pamila, was born in 1957. They lived there until 1958, when Billy studied Electronic Engineering Technology and Gunsmithing at Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Billy worked at the University of California lab in Livermore, California, the Nevada Test Site (now NNAA), and Albany, Oregon before settling in Idaho. He worked at the Idaho National Lab until he retired. Billy resided in rural areas of Idaho Falls until they bought property at the end of Foothill Road where he built his current house and had a son, William, in 1971. Billy and family remained on the hill for the last 40+ years. His wife, Louise Marie Stoddard, his parents, and sibling, Dwaine, preceded Billy in death. Billy is survived by his sister, Judith Osgood, and his beloved family, daughters Deborah and Pamila, and son William. Billy had nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Matthew, Jonnie, Ian, Sean, Wyatt, Megan, Kendra, and Titus. Billy has three great-grandchildren, Ruger, Bentleigh, and the most recent, Jacob. Billy was loved and respected as a Father-In-Law. Billy died in his house, surrounded by the beauty of his property and his handiwork, including a museum of taxidermies, which he and his son shot. His taxidermies consist of deer, his Grand Slam of Bighorn Sheep, which he acquired at age 29 as the youngest man to shoot a Grand Slam, Antelope, Bears, Caribou, Moose, and African Big Game trophies peppered the walls, tables, and floors. His cherished dog Ben stayed by his side always, even to his passing. A memorial service and celebration of Billy’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Watersprings Church, 4250 South 25th East, in Idaho Falls.

Memorial Services will be held