William Gene “Bill” Gierisch

BURLEY – William Gene (Bill) Gierisch, a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and longtime resident of Burley, returned home to his Father in Heaven on Friday, December 8, 2023, at home after a three-year battle with cancer.

He was born May 6, 1940, in Burley, Idaho, to Gene Rudolph Gierisch and Lena Fawn Marshall Gierisch. He grew up on the family farm where he learned to work hard as well as mechanical skills from his father. He later went to Utah, where he attended school and earned his degree in electronics. While living in Utah, he met the love of his life, Diane Stocks. They were married August 5, 1971, in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served for many years as a technical advisor to the Burley Stake.

One of his most beloved possessions was his 1974 Ford Pickup. He spent as much time as he could taking his family camping in the Sawtooth and White Cloud mountains. Bill worked for over 30 years for Minidoka Memorial Hospital as the biomedical engineer.

Bill was a ham radio operator and, as such, he had the opportunity to participate as net control during the Teton Dam disaster, as well as helping on other similar situations. His favorite holiday was Christmas. He would spend a week just getting the lights on the tree. People loved to come see his tree with some of the old-fashioned lights he had repaired from his parents and grandparents. This was one of the highlights of his life.

Bill could fix almost anything mechanical or electrical. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers-in-law, Ernest Paxson, and Rex Osterhout.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, Brenda (Raymond) Tracy, Erin Gierisch, and Glen Marshall (Rebecca) Gierisch; his grandchildren, Sierra (Justin) Casselman, Savannah Tracy, Kade Gierisch, Logan Gierisch, and Kody Gierisch; and four sisters, Ellen Paxson, Irene (Steve) Groesbeck, Noreen (Richard) Holdaway, and Alice Osterhout.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 15, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Pella 2nd Ward, located at 160 W. 400 S., of Burley, with Bishop Blair Davis officiating. Family and friends will be received from 10 until 10:45 a.m. at the Church, prior to the service. Burial will follow at Pella Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home of Burley.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/6V6ZsyRryS0.