William "Bill" Dire, M.D.

William Nick Dire, M.D., 88

Beloved father, grandfather, doctor and friend, William Nick Dire, M.D., 88, of Wallace, Idaho, passed away January 18, 2021 at Kootenai Health of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho.  He was born September 19, 1932 in Wallace, Idaho; William was the son of John and Mary Josephine (Santa Marco) Dire.

Bill attended and graduated from the Wallace High School in 1950; while attending high school Bill excelled in football, basketball and track, he also served as the First District Governor of the Wallace Key Club.  He then furthered his education and completed college in just three years at the University of Idaho receiving his Bachelor’s Degree.  Bill then attended and graduated from the University Of Oregon Medical School.

William married Barbara Ann Church on November 14, 1959 at the General Patton Memorial Hospital Chapel of Heidelberg, Germany.  Barbara had served as a surgical nurse.

William had first served at the Minneapolis General Hospital of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He then served in the U.S. Army in Germany for two years.  After returning to the states, he practiced in Spokane, Washington for five years at the Sacred Heart Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital, Deaconess and the Holy Family.  Dr. Dire then returned to the Silver Valley in September of 1965, opening up his own practice of which he operated for thirty–three years.  He retired in July of 1998.

Dr. Dire is survived by three children William Dire, Jr. of Wallace, Idaho; Don M. (Gretchen) Dire of Vancouver, Washington; Suzanne (Chuck) Caswell of Post Falls, Idaho; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Dominick Dire, one sister Lena MacGuffie and his beloved wife Barbara who passed away September 17, 2002.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Wallace with Father Jerome Montez officiating.  A reception for family and friends will be held at the Wallace Elks following services.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Wallace Elks, 419 Cedar St. Wallace, Idaho 83873, or to the Shoshone Golf Course, 2000 Country Club Rd. Kellogg, Idaho 83837 or to the Wallace Swimming Pool c/o City of Wallace, 703 Cedar St. Wallace, Idaho 83873.

You may share your memories of William and sign his guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with services.