Born in Nebraska, his family moved to Denver, Colorado, in his early teen years. It was here that he learned to play the drums and even played with some of the Big Bands of the 1930’s. Denver is also where he met the love of his life Loyola (Loy) Bald Herman.

After they married, they moved to the Seattle area and quickly settled on Bainbridge Island for their home. Soon Bill started working at The Bon Marche and became the buyer for the luggage department. Later he branched out with his own business called The Hobby Shop located at The Bon Marche. He soon became an Executive at The Bon, a title he held until his passing. What an accomplishment for a self-taught man. After retiring at age 57, Bill kept very busy doing his favorite things; collecting railroad antiques which are displayed at a Museum in Oregon, building furniture, making picture frames and restoring tractors which were sold as collectors pieces. They were sold as collector pieces. His retirement years were spent on Rock-A-Way Beach Bainbridge Island, WA. And then Poulsbo, WA where he maintained his own 3-bedroom house, working on his hobbies until he was 94 years old. Bill’s warm charismatic personality and quick wit will be missed terribly!

Bill is preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years Loy, parents Ruth and Fred Herman, Brother Harold Sawyer, Sister Ev Pennock, and great granddaughter Kaitlyn Rebstock. He leaves behind his daughter and son-in-law, Patty and John White, two granddaughters Tammy White and Wendy White Rebstock, and three great granddaughters Rylee, Reagan and Paige Rebstock.

Bill spent the last three years of his long and wonderful life under the loving care of the staff at Emeritus at Richland Gardens in Richland, WA.

Graveside services were be held on Bainbridge Island, on Saturday November 16, 2013. For more information contact Cook’s Family Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island.