William "Bill" Griffin

William "Bill" Griffin, (age 76) of Cheney, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, March 27. 

He was born June 4, 1937 in Seattle, to Frank and Opal (Patterson) Griffin. He grew up in Ballard and was a graduate of Ballard High School.

Bill was briefly in the Boy Scouts of America, college and the Navy. 

Bill soon realized he was "BTW...Born To Work."

Some early career highlights include, but are not limited to club promoter, car washing, taxicab procurement and ice cream cone sales. 

Bill enjoyed a lengthy foodservice sales career with companies such as Nesbitt and Lyons-Magnus and during this time he honed his skills of connecting with his customers personally and professionally.  

In 1979 Bill and family moved to Cheney, to purchase Zip's Drive-In.

Bill divided his time between menu development, community involvement and hosing down the parking lot. 

After 15 years he sold the business to his son and daughter-in-law but remained on staff as an operations consultant.  

Bill's next restaurant endeavor was the purchase of the Spaghetti Station on Francis Avenue in Spokane. He loved re-inventing the menu on a daily basis.  

First Choice Marketing has been Bill's passion for the past 10 years.

Bill is the social butterfly of sales. 

His love of people and need to help others has been his lifelong calling.  

Bill is survived by his wife Judy Chapman-Griffin; Judy Roberts-Griffin (ex-spouse); children Jana (Ken), DeAnna (Scott), Curt (Lisa), Jennifer (Lester) and Katy (Rocco); grandchildren Crosby, Kristina, Glacier, Kimberly, John, Brandon, A.J., Isabelle, Taylor and great-granddaughter Addison.  

Bill's great joy was spending time with his grandchildren. 

He made a special point of creating lasting memories for each of them.  

Bill's other great joy was the time he spent with Judy, his wife of 18 years. 

Bill loved long road trips with Judy riding shotgun, discovering great restaurants in out-of-the-way places and dropping in on friends. 

He will be greatly missed by so many.  

An open casket viewing will be held on Thursday, April 3 from 6:30-7 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church, Cheney. Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. 

A funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 4, at 10 a.m. at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in downtown Spokane, reception to follow at the Spokane Club. 

Burial is at 1 p.m. at Spokane Memorial Gardens.

Cheney Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.