Obituary

Bill Griffin was born in Seattle on March 31, 1933, the only son of William and Ruth Griffin. This was the second marriage for both Ruth and William and Bill had four half-brothers and one half-sister.

As a youth in Bellingham Bill was active in the Boy Scouts of America achieving the ranks of Air Scout Ace and Eagle Scout. Scouting remained a passion throughout his life receiving many awards for his service.

He graduated from Bellingham High School in the Class of 1951, and from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956.

After graduation from Washington and receiving a commission in the United States Navy he married Rose Marie Little on June 15, 1956, at University Presbyterian Church in Seattle, Washington.

Bill earned his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Aviator and served in the Navy for 20 years, retiring in 1976 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. One of his last roles in the Navy was serving as the mentor for the first group of female Naval Aviators as they progressed through flight school.

While in the Navy he earned a Master of Education Degree from the University of West Florida. After retiring from the Navy, he earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern Mississippi.

After earning his doctorate, Bill began a second career as an educator and administrator at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. He retired in 1998 after 20 years with the University and Bill and Rose relocated to Bellingham.

In retirement both Bill and Rose were very active in the Mount Baker Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Bill served as the council president from 2007-2009.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Rose; son William Mark Griffin and his wife Janet of Kennewick, Washington; daughter Jorji Marie Raskob and her husband Anthony William Raskob Jr., of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren William Richard Griffin (Jessy) of Blaine, Washington; Robert Clark Griffin (Kat) of Clermont, Florida; Brian Mark Griffin (Emily) of Kennewick, Washington; Anthony William Raskob, III, (Shannon) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dr. Kathleen Marie Raskob of San Francisco, California; and Henry Clay Raskob of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and three great-grandchildren.

Donations in Bill’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice, the Whatcom Hospice Foundation, or the Mount Baker Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Services will be held at a later date. Please check back here for details.