OFFICER WILLIAM J. BOZLEE

ID 2125

SDPD 03/28/1975 - 1985

05/25/1947 - 03/21/2016

Bill, better known as Boz, passed away March 21, 2016 at Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, Wa, surrounded by family at his side.

Boz was born May 25th, 1947 in Walla Walla, WA, to Harold James Bozlee and Elsie M. (Knudson) Bozlee.

Boz attended Edison Elementary, Pioneer Jr. High and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1965. Following High School, he enlisted in the US Navy and served honorably in Vietnam, among many other places.

While stationed in Key West, Florida, he began his greatest adventure when he married his wife Nancy and became father to 3 daughters, Diana 5, Melinda 3, and Jennifer 1. 3 years later the family grew with the birth of their son, William Jr.

Boz was reassigned to California. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy, having served 9 years. Boz decided to become a Police Officer. He served in San Diego until 1985. 

Boz loved challenges, in addition to dedicating himself to being a husband and father, and a full time police officer, he earned 2 degrees; a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice (Cum Lauda) and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

In 1986, Boz and family moved to Coeur d’Alene, ID, where he served as part of the CdA Police Department for over 20 years.

Boz was a man of many interests, always taking on new hobbies. A small sample of these included snorkeling and scuba diving, cycling, rock collecting, hiking, Ham radio operation, canoeing and kayaking. He loved having attractive lawns, gardens and especially roses. After retirement he had numerous tattoos on both arms and a huge Viking ship across his back.

Boz retired in 2006, and later moved back to Walla Walla to care for our mother, Elsie, when her health declined and she remained in the home they shared, at 1040 Hobson St.

After Elsie’s passing, Boz’s many chronic health issues resulted in his own decline in health. I, his brother, Conrad (better known as Corky in this, our home town) had the honor of caring for Boz in his last 2 years. Along with many of his health problems, he suffered from the isolation resulting from immobility. He loved to talk to anybody and always had a smile and a joke. While shopping at WalMart, using one of their electric carts, he came face to face with another chair user. Boz picked up his cane and cheerfully challenged him to a joust. Both laughed and swapped stories till they ran out of air.

In early March, Boz’s health became critical. He needed ICU level health care. All ICU beds in Walla Walla and Tri Cities were full, so Bill was life flighted to Holy Family Hospital in Spokane, where most of his family lived, and 30 miles away, in CdA were his many neighbors, friends, police and co-workers also lived. From admission to his passing, he was surrounded by family and friends. Some traveled enormous distances to be with him and support one another. At the moment of his passing his hands were being held by Bill Jr’s beloved wife Sandy and their daughter, Rachel.

Boz is survived by his brother, Conrad Bozlee, Salem, OR, numerous cousins, former wife Nancy Spence Welch, 4 children, Diana (Victor) Estrada plus granddaughter Jessica and great grandson Antonio; Melinda Kennedy Bozlee, daughter Katie Kennedy-Vowels & husband, Stormy and their daughter Skylar, Boz’s great granddaughter; Jennifer (Dan) Thompson with sons Mitchell and Johnny; William Jr. with wife Sandy and 2 daughters Sarah and Rachel. He was preceded in death by parents, Harold James Bozlee and Elsie (Knudson)Bozlee, grandparents, William Addison Bozlee and Elsie Elizabeth (Ewert) Bozlee, and Conrad Knudson and Inga (Oye) Knudson, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. 

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