William "Bill" Allred

William “Bill” Allred
May 22, 1948 - December 31, 2023

On December 31, 2023, William D. Allred passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.  He was born in Harrison, Arkansas in 1948.  Not long after, his parents Denver “Den” Allred and Emma Louise Villines moved to Idaho.  Bill, his younger sister, Kathy, and his father settled in King Hill, Idaho where they were surrounded by family.  Bill gained another mother plus new siblings: Dolph, Nita, Joe and Sue when Den later married Audrey Hitesman.  He graduated from Glenns Ferry High School in 1966 and promptly enlisted in the Navy.

During the Vietnam War, he traveled throughout the Pacific and was honorably discharged.  When he returned home the GI Bill provided for his education.  While attending CSI and working in the Jerome County Courthouse, he met the love of his life, Sharon LaFray.  They were married.  Bill commuted from Jerome to Boise State and earned a BS in Public Health, becoming a first-generation college graduate. After his mother Audrey’s death, Den married Alice Finlayson.  Bill gained yet another set of new siblings: Lucile, Cheri, Craig and Mark.

Bill began his career working for South Central Public Health District in Jerome.  After building a life in Jerome, he became the proud father of a little girl, Elizabeth Ann.  He also began a life of service to the City of Jerome—volunteering for the Jerome Fire Department, working as an instructor for Fire Service Training, teaching HazMat classes throughout Idaho and later became the assistant chief of the volunteer firemen.  He also served on the Jerome Public Library Board and on Jerome City Planning and Zoning Board.  He eventually left the health district and began working for the Department of Environmental Quality, becoming Regional Director before his retirement in 2014.

Bill was not only a hard-working, community minded individual but an avid fly fisherman and self-taught woodworker—building beautiful picture frames, furniture and sought after custom fishing nets.  He was also a great storyteller and person that loved to laugh.   He rarely met a person that he did not enjoy; the feeling was mutual, as he was loved by so many.  There was no such thing as a quick trip to the store for Bill as there were many people stopping him for a chat, often to the dismay of his wife and daughter.  He truly enjoyed Pepsi "the elixir of life", all music, and animals.  Bill had several treasured pets throughout his life, many that had been previously homeless, but found a loving home. Yet, Bill’s greatest joy in life was his family.  Bill and Sharon celebrated their 50th Anniversary in March of 2023.  He adored his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Adam Sullivan.  In his later years, while suffering from Alzheimer’s, he still found much joy in the company of his family.  Even in his final days, he kept his sense of humor, was kind to those caring for him and enjoyed laughing with the people who mattered to him the most.  He will be dearly missed!

Bill was preceded in death by his father Den, mothers Emma Louise and Audrey, brothers Dolph and Joe Hitesman and sister Nita Betty.  He is survived by his wife Sharon; daughter Elizabeth Allred and son-in-law Adam Sullivan; sister Kathy (Tom) Huber; stepmother Alice Allred; stepsisters Sue Southwick, Lucile Allen, and Cheri Hulo; stepbrothers Craig and Mark Finlayson; brothers-in-law Chuck and David (Susan) LaFray; and many additional family members. 

A Celebration of Life will be held for close friends and family at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jerome Public Library Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.