William W. Carpenter Jr. | Passages

William (Bill) Carpenter of Lopez Island, Wash. passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 29, 2010. He was 83. Bill was born in Everett, Wash., and raised on Alki Beach in West Seattle. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1943 and joined the Merchant Marine, where he served until the end of the war.

William W. Carpenter Jr.
Oct. 25, 1926 – Sept. 29, 2010

William (Bill) Carpenter of Lopez Island, Wash. passed away peacefully at his home on Sept. 29, 2010. He was 83.

Bill was born in Everett, Wash., and raised on Alki Beach in West Seattle. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1943 and joined the Merchant Marine, where he served until the end of the war.

Bill and his wife Bonnie moved to Lopez in 1965, taking over proprietorship of the Lopez Market from his father. The store was then located at the present site of the Bay Café. The business became the Lopez Village Market and was located up the street, with several additions, from 1968 until the new store was opened on Weeks Road in April 2010. The market continues as a family business under the management of Aaron Dye, Bill’s son-in-law.

Bill was an Eagle Scout and a scoutmaster. He was a Founding Trustee and major contributor to the Catherine Washburn Memorial Clinic, which brought medical care to the island in 1974. He was a member of the Lopez School Board and the Selective Service Commission.

Bill was named San Juan County Citizen of the Year for 1987, in recognition of his service and contributions to the community. Bill was deservedly admired and respected. He was renowned for generosity with his time, resources and support. A deeply moral man, he was slow to judge and loved his family unconditionally.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 55 years, Bonnie Carpenter.

He is survived by his devoted wife and friend Ardith, of the family home. Bill is also survived by his son Tim and his wife Lynn, of Bellingham; and daughter Christine, her husband Aaron Dye, and grandchildren Eryn, Conor, Kevin, Quinn and Siri Dye, of Lopez.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on his birthday, Oct. 25, 2010, at the Lopez Community Center, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the local cause of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Bill, sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.