Tommy “Bill” Barnes

Tommy Harrison “Bill” Barnes

March 27, 1924 – November 9, 2014

Jerome- Tommy Harrison "Bill" Barnes, 90, of Jerome, passed away peacefully at his home on November 11, 2014.  Bill was born March 27, 1924, in Niota, Tennessee, the son of Tom Peterman Barnes and Ethel Mary Melinda Brackett Barnes.  He was the third of five children. His siblings were Harriman “Hank”, Omaline “Oma”, Hershel “Bud” and Harold. He was raised in Jerome and graduated from Jerome High School on April 30, 1943. Bill was elected student body president his senior year and was captain of the boxing team. He was especially proud of being a member of the United States Marine Corp. He enlisted on October 20, 1943 and was stationed in the Pacific. Upon his discharge, Bill married Doris Lorraine Peterson on February 25, 1948. Bill was raised on the farm and he and Doris continued in the farming profession. He worked for the US Postal Service after retiring from farming.

Bill served on the Board of Directors of Idah-Best, Federal Land Bank, Northside Canal Company, and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, which he enjoyed. Bill and Doris were active members of the First Baptist Church and helped organize the Bapti-Weds. They enjoyed traveling, even if it was a day trip. They felt very fortunate to be able to take a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Bill and Doris had two children, Mark (Ronda) Barnes of Pullman, WA and Valerie “Pixie” (Larry) Collins of Jerome.  Following Doris’s death, Bill married Phyllis Sonnichsen Judd on March 4, 2002. Bill is survived by his children; five grandchildren, Wade (Debbie) Robertson, Adam (Jill) Robertson, Mallory (Elijah) Dugger, Zachary Barnes, Luke Barnes; and four great-grandchildren, Ethan, Andrew, Paige, and Natalie.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation for the care given by Hospice Visions, Maria Knada, and Norma Bartholomew.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday, December 1, 2014 at the First Baptist Church, 308 First Ave. E. in Jerome. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church.  Arrangements are under the care of Farnsworth Mortuary of Jerome.