William Ray Atwood |
| Posted 2017-08-30 by Pat R |
| Skagit Valley Herald (Mount Vernon, Washington) Tuesday, June 12, 2012 William Ray "Bill" Atwood (1920-2012) Numbers, children, music and hugs defined the life of William Ray Atwood. William died at Where the Heart Is on June 10th with his children by his side. He was born on Christmas day in 1920 in Sheridan, Oregon. He was the third born to Lena Blair and Clayton Atwood and joined older brothers Earl and Don and younger sister Barbara. He grew up on a farm outside Sheridan hunting crawdads with his brothers, painting houses with his father, and gardening with his mother. Painting was a particular challenge to this color blind boy. He attended the one room Mill Creek School and cultivated an early love for teaching and education by working with primary students as an eighth grader. He was an active, excellent student and went on to become student body president at Sheridan High School. He lettered in football, basketball, tennis, track and typing. He worked in the Red and White grocery in Sheridan and earned enough money to start at Willamette University in the fall of 1939. The grocery was also important as the setting for his chance meeting over the pickle barrel with "the love of his life", Martha Ellen Hamilton. They married in June 1941. William was drafted into the US Army in 1944 and was stationed in Texas as a company clerk. He served through 1946. The GI Bill afforded William the chance to earn a Bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Washington in 1949. The family relocated to the Skagit Valley when Bill landed a job with Stewart Buick in Mount Vernon. He later worked for Stokely Van Camp in Mount Vernon. On the 4th of July, 1952 Bill moved his young family to a 40 acre farm west of Burlington near Bay View and Bill and Martha put the "Have-More Plan" into practice. Pigs, chickens, cows, sheep, rabbits, turkeys ducks, horses, dogs, cats and kids populated the farm, where the garden was a thing of beauty that provided bounty for the growing family. Bill's love of children compelled him to return to school in the late 50's to pursue a degree in Education. Upon completion of his teaching degree from Western Washington University in 1959, he began his long association with the Burlington Edison School District, first as a teacher, then as principal, and finally as the assistant superintendent of the district where he finally retired in 1982. Bill and Martha loved to travel. They followed their son Tom in his music career through six western states, and made numerous car trips throughout the contiguous US including most notably a food odyssey inspired by food network destinations. Bill was also known to many as the "piano man". He taught himself to play piano by ear at age 5. He won a local Major Bowe's Amateur Hour contest when he was 11 playing "Roll Out the Barrel" on the mellow phone, harmonica, piano, trumpet and ocarina. He rolled the instruments out onto the stage in a barrel. Bill purchased himself a new piano in 2006 and in recent years was a regular performer at the Burlington Senior Center and Where the Heart Is. He performed at Where the Heart Is three days before his death. Bill's theory of hugs as correlated to longevity was well known by all who knew him, and was evidenced in his own long life. He believed that every hug lengthened his life by one month. Bill's ability to multitask was legendary before the concept was formally coined. He juggled three jobs, devoted generous time to playing and wrestling with his children, tended the family farm, earned A's in his college studies, and spent quality time with Martha, all with infinite patience, devotion and good humor. Bill was a life-long learner, a journaler extraordinaire, and led a busy social life hosting weekly breakfasts for his daughters on Tuesdays, and Happy Hours for all comers on Fridays. William is survived by his brother Earl (Jane) Atwood of Carson, WA; sister-in-law Tina Atwood of Vancouver, WA and brother-in-law Jack Bigford of Kent, WA. William is also survived by his seven children and their spouses, Sydney (Chip) Logsdon, Mount Vernon, WA; Julia (Don) Hale, Salem, OR; Susanne (James) Taylor, Samish Island; Joan (Loyd) Frazier, Burlington; Richard (Molly) Atwood, Wickenburg, AZ; Barbara (Gregory) Nelson of LaConner; and Thomas Atwood of Sammamish, WA. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great and great-great; and many dear nieces and nephews. William is also survived by Legson (Julie) Kayira of London, England. Bill bragged that his progeny numbered in the 70s. William was preceded in death by his parents Clayton and Lena Atwood; brother Don Atwood and sister Barbara (Chuck) Coffland, sisters-in-law Catherine Bigford; Elizabeth (Frank) Caldwell; Georgia (Rod) Clefton. He also was preceded in death by sons in law John Blau and Bill Hughes. His loving wife Martha also preceded him in death. William's family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Where the Heart Is for their kindness and gentle care during his last year. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Bill's name to a charity of your choice. Please share your thoughts of Bill and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held Sat. June 16th at 1:00 pm in McIntyre Hall, 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon. Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA. See Also: Find A Grave |
Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.
Questions About This Project?