William 'Bill' Joseph Duffy IV, 68

William “Bill” Joseph Duffy IV, 68, of Kalispell, “went home to be with the Lord” on Feb. 2, 2011, with his family by his side.

A home-going celebration will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Easthaven Baptist Church with the Rev. Daniel Lambert and the Rev. Don Burleson officiating.

Bill was born in Texas and raised in Norwalk, Calif. He graduated from St. John Bosco High School.

He married Diana Roslyn Blakley after meeting her on a double date with his cousin. While in California, Bill served as a Los Angeles police officer during the Los Angeles Riots of 1965. He and Diana retired to Kalispell, where they have spent the last 23 years.

Bill’s passion was cooking. He and his wife Diana were known for cooking countless dinners at church and with their church family. He touched many lives through the food he prepared.

Bill was a survivor, having first been diagnosed with cancer in 2004; God gave him and his family six more years together.

Bill enjoyed traveling, and he wanted to spend his last years building memories with his wife. Over the last six years they visited numerous places including his favorite, the Holy Land, Israel.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Diana, of 46 years to cherish their memories; his three children, Kelly Nelson of Minneapolis, William “Bill” Duffy V of West Covina, Calif., and Cassandra Liebrecht of Kalispell; seven grandchildren, Justin, Josh and Emily Nelson, Nicholas, Jesse and Garret Liebrecht, and Rebecca Eddington; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Candace Anderson and Cheryl Shernaman; two brothers, Dale Blea and Michael Blea; and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Easthaven Baptist Church, 2010 Whitefish Stage, Kalispell, MT 59901, 752-7021; or Hospice, 430 Windward Way No. 101, Kalispell, MT 59901, 751-4200.