Nolan B. Noack passed away quietly on Jan. 10, 2006 at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was 87 years old.

He was born on July 29, 1918 in Round Rock, Texas. His family moved to Visalia, Calif., when he was a young child. His first love was horses and he followed rodeos for several years. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and lost his leg while serving his country. He never let the loss of his leg stop him from doing anything. He climbed mountains, scuba dived, and rode horses. He was an inspiration to everyone he met.

After the Navy, Bill worked at several jobs until he started a career at NAS Alameda, Calif., working in the calibration lab. In the later years of his career, he transferred to NAS Whidbey in Oak Harbor, where he retired. Bill stayed in Oak Harbor for several years where he met the love of his life, Elsie Gemmer. After Bill and Elsie were married, they moved to Bridgeport, Wash., where they raised cows and horses. Bill and Elsie spent many happy hours together riding the hills, enjoying their horses, and attending rodeos.

In 1999, Bill and Elsie moved to Ellensburg, where they lived until he passed away.

Bill is survived by Elsie, his wife of 27 1/2 years, his brother Vincent, his daughters, Christine and husband Bill, Marsha and husband Mark, Nancy and husband Cal, his sons Mike and wife Peggy, Bill and wife Linda, step-daughters Lynnea Flarry and husband John, Marlys Halvorson and husband Greg, Melody Lopeman and husband Todd, step-sons Bradley Gemmer, Erwin Gemmer and wife Jodi, and Myron Gemmer. Bill had 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Funeral and burial services were held at Greenacres-Moles Funeral Home at Ferndale.