William Ronald Barber
July 28, 1932 - May 07, 2013
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William Ronald Barber
July 28, 1932 - May 07, 2013
Obituary
William (Bill) Barber passed away May 7th at St Joseph Hospital from unknown causes. We will all surely miss his sense of humor and friendly manner.
He was born July 28th 1932 to John and Pearl Barber in Bellingham, where he resided all his life. He graduated from BHS in 1950 and enlisted in the Navy in 1952 at the end of the Korean War. He served aboard the USS Edmonds for 4years stationed in Seattle, Pearl Harbor and Guam. He had many jobs in his lifetime; reef net fishing during his high school summers, driving 18-wheelers to California, dump trucks during the building of the refinery, auto parts delivery business, welded crab pots, and started a diesel oil business while attending Western.
He earned a BA in education and found his calling teaching Middle School at Whatcom and Fairhaven for 27 years. He had a 4-plex at the college and then owned a mobil home park until he was 75. He married Carol Van Brocklin in 1958 and they would have celebrated their 55th Anniversary in August. Carol and Bill owned Topline Travel for 5 years after retiring from teaching in 1993.
Bill enjoyed going to Longacres and gambling trips to Reno and Las Vegas. They traveled all over the world on cruises and tours and went to Arizona every March for Mariner’s Spring Training. He was a big Mariner and Seahawks fan.
He was preceded in death by his brother John and daughter Traci. He is survived by his wife Carol, son Brad, grand-daughter Nicole and sister Dolores Hansen of Arlington.
Farewell Tribute Information
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday May 14th at 2:30 at Greenacres Cemetery. A Celebration of Life for Bill will be Sunday Jun 2nd at 2pm at Northwood Hall, 3240 Northwest Ave, Bellingham, behind Albertsons. Donations Information
Memorials may be made to the Whatcom Humane Society Building Fund in his memory. The address is 3710 Williamson Way Bellingham 98225.You can share memories of Bill at www.farewelltributes.com
6 responses to William Ronald Barber
Barbara Charles and Jon Hunter says:
May 7, 2013
we lived in Bill’s mobile park where he was our compassionate and honest landlord. we always enjoyed chit chatting with him about everything from politics to baseball and everything in between and it was always a challenge to keep up with his quick wit. Thanks for giving us a chance when we were down when nobody else would based on a handshake..a true gentleman. condolences to Brad and Mrs. Barber.
Sharon Young Mitchell says:
May 7, 2013
My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family. I will always remember his sense of humor when we were all young…I’m certain he never lost it. May your memories sustain you through the healing process.
Rita Perry says:
May 7, 2013
Please accept my sympathy to the loving Wife,Son,Family & Friends in the sad loss of your dear William. He lived such a Full life and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Hopefullly you will be comforted by these Verses from the Bible: Psalms36:7 “HOW PRECIOUS YOUR LOVING-KINDNESS IS O GOD! AND IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS THE SONS OF MEN THEMSELVES TAKE REFUGE,FOR WITH YOU IS THE SOURCE OF LIFE”
Tom Beattie says:
May 7, 2013
Mr. Barbers class was the highlight of my time at Fairhaven. Thanks Bill for the memories, fish club, plastic key chain, tin ashtray, pushups and all the other stuff we learn to make. I know he made a large ( just like his hands) impact on a lot of us young kids. No one who took shop will ever forget Bill Barber.
Francene MacDonald says:
May 7, 2013
I had the pleasure working with him at Fairhaven , he was the best