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WILLIAM DELANO "BILL" WHALEN
12/29/37~10/21/10
Our loving husband, father, brother and friend to so many was taken to heaven to be with our Lord Jesus on Thursday October 21st. Bill was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Bill was raised in York, North Dakota and graduated from Leeds High School. Bill moved to Vancouver, WA in 1974.
Bill was a grocery man for 45 years, he worked for Thriftway and retired from Kienow's in 2000. Bill was an active member of A.A. and just had celebrated his 20th year of sobriety January 2nd of this year.
Bill loved his family and enjoyed taking them on vacations to Manzanita every summer over the last 20 years.
Bill was and always will be a die-hard Irish man, one of his fondest memories was his trip Jacque and he took to Ireland, they also enjoyed vacations to Hawaii with their best friends Art and Gerry Collamore of Vancouver.
Bill loved sports and enjoyed watching his grandchildren, nieces and nephews participate. He was always there and was their biggest supporter. Bill would travel anywhere they played, not only was he their biggest supporter he was their biggest fan. Bill touched everybody's life he met in such a special way it wasn't always about winning and losing as it was to teach a life lesson. Bill also loved "The Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame, "Go Irish!".
Bill enjoyed walks and spending quality time with his wife Jacque of over 50 years and their 2 dogs.
Bill you are going to be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting you. You never had a bad thing to say and always told it like it was, you have many friends who love you.
Bill was extremely proud of his oldest grandchild Joshua Whalen who is serving in the U.S. Navy. Bill loved all of his family and he would give the shirt off his back to anyone who was in need.
Bill was the youngest of eleven children. His father Frank, mother Lana; sisters, Connie and Ethel; and his brothers, Frank Jr., Harry and Jack preceded Bill in death. Bill is survived by his best friend and loving wife Jacque; his children, Ken (Karen) Whalen, Kelly (Vickie) Whalen and daughter, Kaye(Hank)Hamm; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, with his 3rd expected in May. As well as his brothers, Bart Whalen of Portland and Ward Whalen of Vancouver; sisters, Virginia Janke of Portland, Etta Miller of North Dakota and Pat Lein of Wisconsin.
There will be a viewing available on Wednesday October 27th from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98684.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., October 28th, 2010 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 8701 NE 119th Street, Vancouver WA 98662.
A reception for friends and family will follow the Mass.
Please sign the Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Great person and family, will never forget.
Alex Worobey
Family
October 20, 2021
If there is anything I can d, a hug, meeting, phone call, lunch I would be honnored. My thoughts are with you. Sandra Besselieu
November 2, 2010
Bill I've known you for many years. You were a special friend to me and to my parents, especially my dad. We had some good times. You will always be remembered and missed. Barbara Fearn
October 31, 2010
Bill will ALWAYS BE LOVED by his friends. God bless you, Bill! My heart is with you and your family, Jacque.
Dave Hall
October 30, 2010
Dear Jacque and family,
What a wonderful and loving spirit has slipped into the gates of heaven ..your husband and father, Bill.
Bill was a friend to many and enemy to none...the kind of guy who just simply remains in the hearts of us all.
My love, sympathy, and prayers,
Jackie Casey
October 30, 2010
Jacque and family...I wish I could have been there yesterday with Barbara. We indeed have so many good and very special memories of us all together in those good old days. What absolute joy Bill brought to our gatherings! He will have a special place in my heart forever. May God bless and comfort each of you.
My Sympathy and Love, Jackie
Jackie Casey
October 30, 2010
Blessing to the Whalen Family.
Jane Bisbee Britton
October 29, 2010
My prayers are with you, Jacque and you're family. May God be with you.
My deepest sympathy. Love Jan.
Jan Gableman
October 29, 2010
"I've known Bill and Jacque for nearly thirty years and have enjoyed their company at many program events and in their home during that time. I watched as Bill struggled to get sober and was very happy for both he and Jacque when he found sobriety. I thought Bill was great guy from the first time I met him. It has been very gratifying to see Bill become more confident and happy in the years since. It was always great fun to watch Bill get wound up for St. Patrick's Day every year. I know that he will be missed greatly by his freinds and family. Jacque, my heart goes out to you and your family for this tragic and sudden loss."
Daniel DeGrandpre, Vancouver, Wa.
Daniel DeGrandpre
October 28, 2010
Bill was such a fun person to work with. I am sure everyone at Kienow's that knew him will miss him.
Joanne Holen-Meat wrapper
October 28, 2010
Aunt Jacque and family, I am so saddened by the sudden passing of such a kind, sweet man and a great uncle. His sense of humor was one of the things I loved about him and will miss and remember fondly. It was far too soon for him to leave us. I am so sorry I am unable to attend his service in person but will be there in spirit. Uncle Bill we will miss you.
Love, Nadine
Nadine Edwards
October 27, 2010
Bill was my best friend and a real AA as written in the book. He will be widely missed. God has called him up and we'll have to live with it, Neil L
Neil Lanier
October 27, 2010
MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY JACKIE.. CAROL FORNESS (WILLISTON N. DAK.)
CAROL FORNESS
October 27, 2010
Bill was one of those rare individuals that could make anybody laugh even in difficult times for him and his family. He is fondly remembered by me and his memory has been placed in a special place with a few others in my heart. He got what I want - to die loved; to have touched people in a special and unique way; who traveled to sit on the right hand of God - sober.
Thank you Bill - I bow my head and tip my hat.
Peter Coombs
October 27, 2010
Jacque & Bill's children & family: My wife Nora & I knew Bill & looked forward to every meeting with him so that we could hear his great storytelling & infectious sense of humor. Bill sure knew how to make me laugh! He'll be missed!
Neal B
October 27, 2010
Love you both.
Robin Guyton
October 27, 2010
Aunt Virginia and family, Please know our love and blessings of comfort are with you. Jim and Linda Rydman
linda rydman
October 27, 2010
Bill has been a part of our lives for only the past 6 years but the hole his passing leaves is so much bigger than that short time! We will miss his ever ready smile, his wonderful sense of humor and the twinkle in his Irish blue eyes!
We miss you, Bill!
Don & Sally Woods
October 27, 2010
Thinking of you.
Alex Worobey
October 26, 2010
Brother Bill,Our hearts are so sadden,that we have lost you,But God must have a job for you in heaven.Our Prayers and love to Jackie and family.God Bless. Sister and Brother Etta and Bob
ETTA MILLER
October 26, 2010
My thought and prayers to the family. It has been many years since I've seen you but I have fond memories from years ago.
Linda Janssen Clark
October 26, 2010
I knew Bill as "Bill W" at the Over 55 mtgs. where he had his chair, his spot. It sat empty last Friday as we expressed our memories. Bill was special, very friendly. He is missed by many.
I went to his 20th party to a packed house with more coming in. He was so welcoming. Thank you Bill for being part of my life. To the family, you have endured a great loss.
peace.
genny k
October 26, 2010
Bill will always have a special place in my heart and I will never make a "lemon pie" again without a smile and thought of Bill.
With love
Jeanine Viviano
Jeanine Viviano
October 26, 2010
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