William Edgar Humphries

William Edgar (Bill) Humphries of McKenna, much loved by family and friends, died January 20 at his home after a lengthy illness. Born February 28, 1953, he was the son of the late Earl and Bernice Humphries. After graduating from Little Rock Central High School, he earned a BA degree in Environmental Management from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a MS in Watershed Management from Utah State University. A registered professional geologist, he worked for engineering and environmental companies in Arkansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. In 1996 he moved to Alaska where he was an executive with several Alaskan Native corporations. Most recently he was employed by the Kuskokwim Corporation and moved to Washington in 2014. He delighted in his children and grandson. A brilliant man with a quick sense of humor, he loved music, guitars, books and sports, especially baseball. An outdoor enthusiast, he was an organizer and first president of The Ouachita Mountain Hikers in Arkansas. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Kay Engstrom Humphries; son, John Eric Humphries of New Haven, CT; daughter, Lea Erin (Andy) Harmon and grandson, Tommy, of Bend, OR; sisters Earlece Pearce of Marietta, GA, Gwen Ross of Concord, CA, and Janie (Scott) Blome of Louisville, KY, nieces and nephews, three aunts, an uncle and many in-laws, cousins and friends. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 4501 Rahling Road, in Little Rock, AR. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs/Lamar Porter Field or LRCH TIGER Foundation, both in Little Rock, AR. The family wishes to thank Dr. Andrew Larsen of Yelm Family Medicine, and the wonderful caregivers of MultiCare Hospice. Arrangements are by Edwards Memorial Funeral Home. There will be no local service.