William L. Bauer

William (Bill) Bauer died peacefully on January 19, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Born September 27, 1928 in Yakima, WA, he and his younger brother, John were raised by their beloved grandmother, Mabel Thompson (Nannaw), who always affectionately called him “Sonny.” In 1945, he left high school, joined the US Marine Corps (USMC) and served with distinction as part of the 1^st Marine Division, 5^th Marine Regiment-Communication Platoon in the Korean War. Bill was a radio operator on the front lines during the winter of 1950-51, maintaining liaison between the 5^th Marine regiment and tank units in the field. He was in the first group in and the first group out; one of the lucky few that returned from the Chosin reservoir.

He had met the love of his life, Mary Louise, while at Armor school in Fort Knox, Kentucky (before serving in Korea) and returned to marry her on June 6, 1951. In later USMC assignments in San Diego and Hawaii, he served as drill instructor and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant. His entire life, Bill remained proud of being a Marine and serving his country, always striving to live up the values he learned at such a young age. Once a Marine, always a Marine! Semper Fi!

After leaving the Marines in 1956 and moving his family to Seattle, Bill went back to school, enrolling in the electronics program at Edison Technical School. While attending school in the evenings, he worked full time for four years for the Boeing Company and weekends at the Tradewell Grocery store in West Seattle. After graduation from Edison Technical School, Bill worked in the Communications field for over 33 years; he was a hard worker and quickly became a valuable team member. He worked for King Broadcasting Company and then for US West Communications, retiring in the mid-1990’s with a great retirement party send off from his many friends and coworkers!

Raised in Eastern Washington, Bill enjoyed nature and the outdoors his entire life. Growing up during the depression, he and his brother, John, explored the rural Yakima surroundings. In their youth, the brothers joined the boy scouts together, both achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He made sure that both his sons were involved with scouting as well; both Michael and Mark earned their Eagle Scout awards. He spent many an hour picnicking, camping and fishing in the Verlot, Mt Pilchuck, Boulder Cave and the Bumping River areas with his friends and family. The highlights of many summers were family vacations to visit Yakima relatives (grandmother, Nannaw, brother, John, sister-in-law, Darlene, nephew, Johnny, and nieces, Linda and Lisa).

An outgoing man who enjoyed community involvement; he belonged for many years to the Elks, Freemasons and Shriners.

Bill was fond of all animals, particularly dogs; Putsy, Snuffy, Spunky were early companions. Beginning in the early 1980’s, he and his wife enjoyed owning and raising Pembroke Welsh Corgis, including Nugget, McDuff (Duffy), Toby, Tasha (and puppies), Molly (and puppies) and Tiffany (Tiffy); each one a precious member of the family. For a time, he was delighted to have five corgis share his home, all at once! He made many friends with other Pembroke Welsh Corgi club members.

Bill was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend who inspired life in everyone that knew him. He loved to plan parties for various events; especially his wife’s 4th of July birthday, and to invite his family and friends over to the house for a big BBQ bash. Christmas was an especially joyous time, celebrating the holidays with those he held dear.

His greatest love was his family. He was a devoted husband for 65 years to his wife, Mary Louise, a loving father to their five children, Carol Lynn Wilmot, (Robert), William Michael Bauer (deceased), Sheila Louise Bauer, Suzanne Marie Dalgarn, (Christopher), and Mark David Bauer, adored grandfather to 8 grandchildren, Daniel Wilmot (Lisa), Matthew Wilmot (Melissa), Joshua Wilmot, Shannon Wilmot (deceased), Kevin Wilmot, Zachary Dalgarn, Madison Dalgarn, Breanna Bauer and four great-grandchildren, Grady Wilmot, Vivien Wilmot, Nolan Wilmot and Gemma Wilmot. He is also predeceased by his parents, Bill and Hazel, brother, John, niece, Linda and grandmother, Mabel. In addition he is survived by his nephew John (Carol) and their children and grandchildren, his niece, Lisa and his niece, Linda’s son.

All grieve profoundly at his passing but feel deeply blessed to have loved and been loved by this remarkable man.

Burial: February 5, 2016 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA at 12:30 pm

Memorial service: February 5, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue at 3:00 pm.

Because Bill loved dogs, please donate to Seattle Humane Society, www.seattlehumane.org or other animal welfare organization and let’s fight for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, please donate to Alzheimer’s disease research, www.alz.org.