Winston Erroll Emly was born on August 4, 1953, in Williston, North Dakota, to Moses Peter and Gladys Emly. He was one of 32 brothers and sisters, so there were always shenanigans to be had on their farm in rural North Dakota, where chores were plentiful, winters were long, and entertainment often consisted of sibling wrestling matches. It was a rugged, no-nonsense upbringing that gave him a lifelong appreciation for hard work, resilience, and a good sense of humor. He went to school in Fairview, Montana, hitchhiked 11 miles to/from church, and spoke fondly of Dorothy McGinnis Bullington, who was instrumental in mentoring him during high school. 

After graduation, Winston headed west, where he met the love of his life, Bonnie Mae Hardy. They were married on June 26, 1976, and together they built a life centered on family, faith, and community in Caldwell, Idaho. They raised two children, Kessa and Myron, and later rejoiced in the addition of six grandchildren.

Winston devoted his career to nursing, caring for patients at West Valley Medical Center, St. Luke’s, and several nursing homes, working in the ER, ICU, and even leading a class for new dads. He also served his community through the Canyon County Board of Guardians, led countless school field trips, served as Camp Nurse every year, and once coached T-ball with equal measures of patience and theatrics. His brief stint as a traveling nurse in the early 1990s led to adventures that didn’t always go as planned—like accidentally ending up in Sidney, Montana, for a year—which became one of the unexpected blessings. Above all, Winston loved serving people, especially seniors. His patience, kindness, compassion, and humor made him a natural caregiver, and it is little wonder that both of his children chose professions that serve others—following his example of compassion in action. He retired from nursing way too early due to life's curveballs, and we have no doubt that he would still be working if circumstances were different. 

Beyond family and work, Winston had a passion for photography. With his camera, he captured the quiet beauty of barns, bridges, and lighthouses—scenes that reflected his appreciation for both history and the simple, enduring things in life. Winston served as an umpire for the church softball league and genuinely enjoyed calling strikes, finding joy in being part of the game and the community around it. He also loved games, especially Scrabble and anything involving trivia. The amount of knowledge he somehow was able to pull out at the last second kept us on our toes—always competitive but mostly delighted just to play. 

In retirement, Winston and Bonnie moved to Notus, Idaho, where Winston embraced his role as a full-time mischief-maker, part-time philosopher, and ever-present storyteller. A devoted Christian, he attended Notus Baptist Church when he was able, loved Jesus, sang a deep baritone, studied the Bible, and occasionally kept the pastor on his toes with a well-timed question. Each year, Winston looked forward to making a pilgrimage back to Fairview, Montana, for an impromptu family reunion filled with laughter, food, and more storytelling. In 2021, he proudly returned for his 50th reunion at Fairview High School during the Old Timer's Festival, reconnecting with classmates, continuing shenanigans with siblings, and celebrating the roots that shaped him.

Winston is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bonnie Emly; his son, Myron and daughter-in-law, Amanda; his daughter, Kessa and son-in-law, David; and six grandchildren: Peyton, Paige, Kara, Ivy, Piper, and Eden. He was preceded in death by his parents, Moses Peter and Gladys of Fairview, Montana, and many siblings.

We want to sincerely thank the hospice team at Inhabit for the care they have provided these past few months. You all are angels here on earth. 

We look forward to celebrating this giant of a man on Friday, October 17, 2025, at Notus First Baptist Church, and hope you will join us at 2:00 pm. Services are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell. (208) 459-0833