William (Bill) Allen Charlton

At his home with family near him, William (Bill) Allen Charlton, age 85, passed away from cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Bill, beloved husband, father and friend was born July 21, 1940, in Ione, Wash., to Allen Leigh Charlton and Lois Elma (Bradeen) Charlton. He grew up in the Kettle Falls area with his four siblings and could be found on most sunny days playing in the river at Old Kettle Falls. Bill graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1959 and joined the United States Navy, serving four years. He married Caroline Shriner of Orient, Wash., on July 14, 1962, while he was home on leave.

After his service in the Navy, Bill attended Eastern Washington University and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Bill accepted a teaching position with the Northport School District in 1968. For the next 30 years, Bill and Caroline called the town of Northport home and raised four children. Bill taught high school industrial arts, drafting and math, coached basketball and drove school bus until he retired from teaching in 1997 and from bus driving in 2011.

In 1998, Bill and Caroline moved onto family land in Orient, Wash., where Bill designed and built their custom home.  Bill and Caroline spent the next 10 years sharing the love of their home and land with children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. Caroline passed away in June 2009.

On Oct. 22, 2011, Bill married lifelong acquaintance Mary Jean “Jeanne” Wiley of Northport, Washington, and Jeanne joined Bill in Orient.  They blended their families of adult children, created new family memories and experienced 14 years of love, companionship and small adventures together.

Bill liked taking drives, socializing in the community, helping neighbors, telling jokes, and playing poker with friends. He loved being outside, riding around on his golf cart, seeing wildlife, cutting firewood, sawing lumber, and building in his woodshop. He was always ready for the water, floating the Kettle River and most of all riding his jet ski. He will be greatly missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Caroline Charlton; his brother Joseph “Joe” Charlton; and his sister-in-law, Linda Charlton.

He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; siblings, Derry Mounce, Nikki Charlton (Mark);children, Greg Charlton (Melanie), Todd Charlton (Alison), Brad Charlton (Renee), Tami Charlton;  stepchildren, Laura  Roberston (Alan), Brett Wiley (Di), Shelley Franck; grandchildren, Ainsley Charlton, Braden Charlton,  Felicia Quilter (Marshall), Riley Bidondo, Stephanie Bidondo, Jake Charlton (Karlee), Karli Charlton, Amanda Kinkaid; step grandchild Kayla Illsley (Nate); and nine great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 1-4 p.m. at TJ’s Bar and Grill in Kettle Falls. Beginning with a short memorial at 1 p.m., followed by food, refreshment and gathering for all who called Bill family, friend, teacher, coach, neighbor.