Bill passed away on January 4th, 2014, after a wonderful 88-year life. His family setup this website to collect and share memories of Bill from everyone who knew him. Click CONTRIBUTE below to add your pictures, thoughts and memories to this site.
Upon his graduation, Bill enlisted in the US Navy and served as a Seabee for three years during World War II. Following his Honorable Discharge in 1946, Bill entered the University of Washington, where he studied forestry Forestry for a time. Bill soon changed his major to art Art Education, which he found more suitable to his natural talents. He married Joan Burrows in 1949.
After farming for four years in Alberta and being employed as a draftsman for the Boeing Company, he returned to the University of Washington and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art Education in 1962. In later years he attained his Master’s Degree in Education, and.worked as a seasonal Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park for 9 summers.
Bill taught art at Chinook Junior High School in Bellevue for twenty-five years and wood carving at Bellevue Community College. On February 12, 1977, he married Marjorie (Stackhouse) Carpenter. The couple made their home in Bellevue. Bill retired from teaching in 1987. In 1995, he and Marj moved to Oak Harbor, settling on property which he had purchased in 1963. It was there that Bill enjoyed such hobbies as carving and , sketching, beach-combing, gardening and the occasional Pepsi break. He was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.
Bill is survived by his wife Marj, their four children: Robin Fluharty (Phil Bransford) of Seattle, Debbie Shores of Kirkland, David Carpenter (Gretchen) of Sammamish and Will McNae (Ronda) of Bellevue; their ten grandchildren: Bryn Fluharty of Seattle, Stuart Fluharty (Katherine) of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Talia Shores Major (Steve) of Florida, Taylor and Spencer Shores, both of Seattle, Blake, Marissa and Ryan Carpenter, all of Sammamish; Ella and Liam McNae, both of Bellevue; his sister, Helen McKinlock of Seattle; also, numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bert McNae and a sister, Eva Whitney.
Bill was deeply loved and admired – he will be missed by all who knew him.
A Memorial Service will be held at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 11th at 2:00pm. 1253 NW 2nd Ave, Oak Harbor, WA 98277
(360) 679-1561
Memorials may be made to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, M/S S-200, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005; or to the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW 2nd Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277.
Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at http://billmcnae.muchloved.com