William "Bill" Francis Weed
March 13, 1925 - January 03, 2016
Legacy Lives On Through Family
William (Bill) Francis Weed passed away peacefully at home January 3, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born in White Star, Washington March 13, 1925 to George and Frances Weed. Bill spent his early years in the Grays Harbor area moving frequently as his father followed the cedar shake business during the depression years. The family moved to the Marysville area when Bill was in high school and this is where he met the love of his life Claire Tollefson. They were married on January 17, 1943.
Bill was a decorated WW II vet having served in the Army in the Pacific where he survived the infamous battle for the island of Peleliu; there he was given a battlefield promotion to Staff Sergeant. He also saw active duty in the Philippines and was part of the occupational troops in Japan after the atomic bombs ended the war.
After the war, Bill returned home and started work in the cedar shake business advancing to be the manager of a cedar mill in Marysville where he was injured in an industrial accident. He was then retrained to be a radio and television repairman working for Hertel’s TV and appliance in Everett before starting his own successful family business in Snohomish named Valley Appliance, TV and Furniture. After selling the business in 1981, Bill retired and enjoyed his passion of gardening; he was a true green thumb and could often be found working in his green house with the radio on cultivating seeds and plants for around the house and the bountiful garden. Bill also developed an interest in genealogy and spent years searching for family roots and eventually found that his ancestors had emigrated from England to the new world in 1632. He also wrote his biography, focusing on the events he was part of during WW II.
Bill had a big smile that would light up his eyes at the joy he had in spending time with his large family. The home that Bill and Claire lived in was designed and built by Bill with the emphasis on large living space for all the birthday and holiday celebrations that would overflow with laughter and happiness with the large family gatherings.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Claire of 73 years, son Jerry (Arlene), daughter Billie (Dave) Nilson, son Bob (Sharon), daughter Cindy (John) Olson, son Dan (Alice), son Mick (Gayle), son John (Debbie) and son Marty. Also surviving, are his sister Janice Bluemke and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, George and Frances and his brothers Jack and Marvin.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday January 17th from 1 to 4 PM at the Snohomish Senior Center, 506 4th St, Snohomish.
Memorial
"The greatest gift is a portion of thyself."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
To Laugh
To laugh often and much; to win the
respect of intelligent people and the affection
of children; to earn the appreciation of honest
critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better whether by a
healthy child, a garden patch, or redeemed social
condition; to know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived. This is to have
succeeded.
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