Bill Goodman
Passed: February 01, 2020
Bellingham, WA
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Bill Goodman
Passed: February 01, 2020
Bellingham, WA
Obituary
Bill Goodman, 77, passed away at his home in Bellingham in February 2020. He was born in Seattle, WA to Bill and Beverly Goodman. A true child of the northwest, Bill loved the outdoors. He was an avid skier, seeming to have learned when he was a toddler. He spent many summers and winters on Snoqualmie Pass with his family. Working his way through college as a lift operator at The Summit at Snoqualmie, he found himself featured in a Warren Miller ski film coming down the mountain with his skis on fire, earning him one of many nicknames, Flame Out. He took up scuba diving in Juneau and dove all over the world. Hiking, road biking and traveling kept him busy, when he wasn’t painting This Very Old House on Old Samish Rd.
Bill was quick of wit and always able to break the ice with his irreverent sense of humor. A steadfast friend, he enjoyed the company of many during his life and was always able to find something unique in everyone he knew.
He resided in Bellingham for 43 years after leaving his childhood home for the likes of San Jose, CA; Washington, DC; Juneau, AK; and Atlanta, GA. Bill graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Central Washington University in Ellensburg and received his MS in Public Health from the University of California Berkeley. He worked for Dept. Of Labor in Alaska and Washington, Georgia Pacific, Heath Techna and Boeing managing Safety and Health programs.
He is survived by his partner and wife of forty-one years, Doris Wunsch; two wonderful children who he was very proud of, Bill (Marie) of Walden, NY and Catherine (Pat) Donnelly of Ravensdale, WA; grandchildren Camille, Ian and Diego; and BDD Bella. He is preceded in death by his parents and both sisters, Sandra Hinton and Kathleen Prather.
Swoosh on Mr. Bill, on the white, powder clouds above us. Bella and I will visit the mountains often, to be closer to you my love.
We are very grateful for the kindness and compassionate care Bill received from Whatcom County Hospice and his personal caregivers this past year. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.
Celebration of Life
- Date & Time: January 1, 1970 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date.
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8 responses to Bill Goodman
Vince Martinis says:
February 10, 2020
Bill and I worked closely together in our early years in the field of occupational safety and health for Washington State Dept of Labor and Industries and later for The Boeing Company in Everett. Bill was always a pleasure to work with and a great friend. His knowledge of workplace safety made him admired by many, and his friendly and often humorous personality made him a pleasure to be with. He truly cared about workplace safety and left a lasting legacy of programs he helped develop at Boeing.
When I think of the type of men I would like my boys to grow up and be I think of Bill.
My heart and prayers go out to Doris and Bill’s entire family.
Bob Dorchester says:
February 10, 2020
I served with Bill on the Forest Products Board a long time ago. Great personality, good guy, and overall a Great Person. My prayers to you and family.
Don Olsen says:
February 10, 2020
Bill and I met when I moved to Alaska with OSHA in 1974. Bill was working with Alaska DOL. Bill always said I was there to make sure the IH program in Alaska was at least an ineffective as the Feds program. We had many very interesting trips together to the Alaska Pipeline construction camps, the fishing villages and logging camps.
Doris and I met about the same time as I met Bill since she also worked with OSHA. Both Bill and Doris have been best friends ever since.
Bill’s sense of humor and friendship will always be treasured.
Don Olsen