William "Ed" Edwin Finney

William Edwin "Ed" Finney passed away at home Wednesday, October 16, 2019. He was 93 years old. His heart, that had been so strong all his life, just finally wore out. Surrounded by his wife and children, whom he loved so much, he went home to meet his loving Lord.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 26, 2019 in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel with Kevin Hestead, Chuck Wigton and Dale Coffelt officiating.  Interment will take place in Pinecrest Memorial Park.  Visitation hours will be on Friday, October 25, 2019 from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Ed was born in Lusk, Wyoming, October 1, 1926, to Frank and Amelia.  Dolly" (Carlson) Finney.  His parents homesteaded in Wyoming, but it was important to Frank to have his family where there was a church nearby. When Ed was nine years old, they moved to Sandpoint and began what would be a life-long attendance at the First Christian Church.

Ed served in the U.S. Army during the latter part of World War 11. He didn't make it overseas before the war ended, but was in the medical corp, checking out soldiers returning from overseas.

ln June 1951, Ed married Evalyn Culley. Together, they were very active in the First Christian Church, in youth groups and teaching Sunday School classes. Ed was a deacon, an elder and Sunday school superintendent in charge of education, He was also a lay pastor at times. He and Evalyn led a home Bible study group for ten years.

Ed and Evalyn have six children: Linda (Tom Soeldner); Ken, Annie Long (Roy), Marcia Hestead (Kevin), Ron (Colene). One baby, Stevie, died at 61/2 months. Stevie's daddy is with him now. After Stevie died, Ed and Evalyn worked with the Heart Association for a few years.

Ed also has thirteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Ed was a tough, strong guy, but gentle and loving. He and Evalyn raised their kids to believe in Jesus and to have good work values.

One of Ed's favorite Bible verses was in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world He gave His dearly loved Son, so that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Ed worked as a logger, as an insurance agent for Woodman Accident and Life Company, and as a building contractor, which he enjoyed the most.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Stevie, a sister Allene Mathis, two brothers, Alvan ''Bud" Finney and Charles "Manny" Finney. He is survived by his wife, Evalyn, his children and their spouses, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a sister, Doris Faye Mills and several nieces and nephews.

Ed has been a wonderful encouragement in his love for his family and has touched many other lives. It has been a very good sixty-eight years of marriage. Ed, you are very much missed by all of us. Til we meet again, Dear One . . .