William S. Gilbert was born Nov. 5, 1923 in Astoria, Oregon to Olive and Dewitt Gilbert.

He moved to Seattle when he was eight and his first job was sweeping up at the Pike Place Market in the 1930s.

He spent his career in the fish industry and was famous for his smoked salmon.

He married Charlotte Wenke on June 17, 1948 and moved to Bainbridge Island in 1972.

Rockaway Beach was his happy place and he always said, “That was the best thing your mother ever made us do!”

He passed away peacefully on their anniversary; June 17, 2017.

As was his wish, his ashes will be combined with Charlotte’s and scattered in Puget Sound in front of the home he lived in for almost 45 years.