William "Bill" Harris Lebrecht

   William “Bill” Harris Lebrecht passed away September 23, 2023, in Emmett, ID. He was born on October 9, 1923, in Berlin, Germany. Named Horst he changed his name to William when he arrived in this country in 1945.
   He landed on Ellis Island a Jewish refugee from war torn Germany. An uncle sponsored him allowing him to come into the country. 
   When he first got to the USA he landed in the hospital, his body not remembering how to eat after living on rats, grass and garbage while running and hiding for his life from the Nazis.
   He learned to read and write English while working cutting out clothing patterns. Back then, they used newspapers as patterns. He read the newspaper from front to back all of his life. 
   He studied and became a US citizen. 
Bill met his wife Anne on a blind date in 1955. She was only 17 and he 29. No one thought it would work! They were married 61 years until her death in 2016.
   He was an avid tennis player well into his 60’s and then took up golf. Bill loved the ocean, watching sports, and loved his family. Bill was always ready to joke around. He loved poker and going to the casinos. He continued to play blackjack and gin rummy until his recent illness. He was fun to be around surprising his children with Disneyland trips and Easter treasure hunts. 
   Bill lived at Meadowview Independent Living for the last 4 years. The family would like to thank the staff there. They are the best, most caring people. Dad was going to run away to Vegas and marry all the girls! (As soon as they left their husbands!)

   He is survived by his two daughters and their spouses; Riki and (Ira) Kucheck, Nancy and (Ed) Arbogast, two grandchildren; Drew and (Lathy) Ostrowski and Marissa Kucheck; and two great granddaughters, Ame and Avi Ostrowski.

 He only had 11 more days to hit 100!

Bill, Daddy, Pops, Grandpa, Great Great, will be sorely missed.

In a private ceremony, Bill's ashes will be scattered at sea to join his wif

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