Martin William "Bill" Washburn

September 28, 1931 – August7, 2026

  Martin William “Bill” Washburn Jr., 94, of Emmett, Idaho, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026.  Bill was born September 28, 1931, in Los Angeles, California, to Martin William Sr. and Virginia Moore Washburn (nee O’Rear).  He was the oldest of four brothers, Jim, Gary and Bobby, and as the son of a minister, he had to move multiple times during his childhood, only to return to Southern California at 14, after one year of school at Miltonvale Wesleyan College in Kansas.

  He graduated from Mark Keppel High School in Monterey Park, CA, and went on to Pasadena Junior College.  After one year of studies, Bill joined the US Navy in June 1950 and proudly served during the Korean War aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard.  His military service introduced him to the world beyond California and ignited a lifelong passion for travel, learning and experiencing different cultures – an interest that would shape both his personal and professional life.

  Following his military service, Bill graduated from East Los Angeles Junior College and was accepted to the University of California, Los Angeles, from which he graduated in 1955 as an Industrial Engineer.   

  While at UCLA, Bill’s love for music and gospel brought him into the school’s choir led by Rodger Wagner, where his passion for acapella performance was ignited and carried through the rest of his life.  During Bill’s college years and later while living in the greater Los Angeles area, Bill continued supporting his father’s church ministry and drove between home and his dad’s church every week, on Wednesday nights to rehearse and on Sunday mornings to lead the church’s choir during the worship services.

  Soon after graduating from UCLA, Bill married Mary Anne Healy, and together they built a life centered on faith, family, music and community.  In 1965, they built a home in Morgan Hill, California, where they enjoyed the country living and lovingly raised their five children: Michael, Kathleen, Eileen, Mark and Darlene.

   Raised during the Great Depression as the son of a minister, Bill developed the work ethic, resilience, humility and unwavering Christian faith that would define his life.  From shining shoes and delivering newspapers as a young boy to building an international consulting business later, Bill believed that hard work, integrity and perseverance were the cornerstones of success.  Following his graduation from UCLA, Bill was recruited by Kaiser Steel for their Fontana, California plant to aid them in improving operating efficiency, and from there on, his professional career took off, eventually bringing him to Northern California.

   Bill began his professional career in the food industry with Safeway Stores in 1961, where he steadily rose through the company.  Although he was approaching senior executive leadership his entrepreneurial spirit ultimately proved stronger than the security of  corporate life.  He made the bold decision to leave Safeway to found and lead a consulting engineering firm, Padec, and later FoodPro International, serving the food processing industry on the international scale. 

  That decision opened the door to a career few could have imagined.  Over the following decades, Bill worked throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East.  He advised food manufacturers, processors and entrepreneurs around the world, combining his engineering expertise with practical business experience and an exceptional ability to solve problems.  He often said that business allowed him to see the world, and he embraced every opportunity to learn from the people and cultures he encountered.

  Bill believed that success meant giving back to the community that had given so much to his family.  He devoted countless hours as a leader of a local 4-H club, mentoring young people in responsibility, leadership, agriculture and service.  He also remained active in other local business and community affairs throughout the years.

  Faith was the cornerstone of Bill’s life.  Together with Mary Anne, he faithfully served their church for many years.  Bill directed the church choir while Mary Anne accompanied on the piano and organ.  Together they created a home where faith, service, kindness and family were not simply spoken about – they were lived every day. 

   Following the passing of his beloved wife, Marry Anne, in 2012, Bill married Olga Osipova in 2014, and together they shared love, passion for the engineering profession and friendship. 

  He very much liked – and often applied to his own life – the saying, “There is a time for everyone to be replanted.”  True to that belief, in 2020 Bill and Olga moved from California to Emmett, Idaho, much to the astonishment of many who knew them, with absolutely no intention of retiring.  Together they continued consulting internationally and domestically, pursued new endeavors, welcomed new business opportunities and remained fully engaged in the work they both loved. 

  Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marry Anne Washburn in 2012; his daughter, Eileen Kennedy Washburn, also in 2012; his brothers, Robert “Bobby” Washburn, who was killed while serving his country during the Vietnam War in 1968; James Washburn, in 2024; and Gary Washburn, in 2025; and his sister-in-law, Judy Washburn, in 2023.

  He is survived by his wife, Olga Osipova Washburn; his children Michael (Ruth Ann) Washburn, Kathleen Stoody, Mark (Carmen) Washburn and Darlene (Paul) Inman; twelve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Marlene; many nephews and nieces; and Arturo his green Amazonian parrot.

  Although Bill’s professional accomplishments were remarkable, those who knew him best will remember something far more important. They will remember his integrity, quiet sense of humor, unwavering optimism, deep Christian faith, and love of traditional Gospel songs, and his belief that every challenge could be overcome with prayer, determination, and hard work.  He led by example, never asked more of others than he was willing to give himself, and inspired those around him to dream bigger, work harder and live with purpose.  His life was a life of faith, service, adventure and purpose – a life well lived, a race well run and a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. 

  A service will be held on August 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Emmett Community Bible Church, 2524 Empire St. Emmett, Idaho.

  Charitable donations can be made to the Emmett Community Bible Church in Martin Washburn’s name.  Arrangements are under the care of the Potter Funeral Chapel. 

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