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William Harrison Obituary
William 'Bill' E. Harrison
Bill was born September 10, 1947 in Seattle, WA. He started working for his father in the HVAC business. He later started his own company in the Edmonds area. In 1985 he moved with his wife and two small children to Denver, CO for business. After two years they moved back to Washington, but went to the Eastern Washington area - Chelan. Bill started a new company, North Cascades Heating, and became a very involved community member. He and his wife helped start the Chelan Street Fair - Taste of Chelan. Bill also was instrumental in starting the Santa Arrival in Town. He won several honors in town for his devotion, including business of the year.
In 1996, tired of cold weather, Bill moved with his family to Fountain Hills, AZ. He immediately became involved in helping Baseball Coach Briguglio raise money to fund the Falcons High School Baseball team. Along with several other parents, that all became dear friends, they helped Coach bring the Falcons to their first State Championship - which his son Derek was a starting player.
Bill is known for his great business sense. Along with his own company in Washington state, he also has been instrumental regarding his wife's business - Another Great Estate Sale .
Most importantly in life, Bill was a family man and a friend. His favorite saying was "to have a friend you must be one." He lived by this daily, which is evident in the outpouring of grief and condolences from everyone who crossed his path. He was the most unselfish person you could meet and always put others before him. He was a devoted husband and father. He will be missed by everyone.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Mae; his father-in-law, Gene Sr.; his sister-in-law, Sandy; his brother-in-laws, Rick and Manny; and his nephew, Jared.
He is survived by his two daughters, Cherie and Wendy; his seven grandchildren; his wife, Tammie, and their children, Derek and Tiffany; his brothers, Chip, wife Maxine, Jim, wife Gail, and Bruce; his mother-in-law, Kay; brothers-in-laws, Gene Jr., wife Wendy, Rod, wife Barb and Gary, wife Dolly; and sister-in-law, Diana. He also has numerous nieces and nephews that he cherished.
There will be a celebration of life for Bill on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Hope Church of Silver Lake - 11329 23rd Dr SE, Everett, WA 98208.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Harrison
Rebecca and Al Johnson
May 23, 2011
Rest in Peace Bill. You were a VERY loved man and will be missed greatly.
Carly Goosman
May 12, 2011
To my Uncle Bill: It is still so hard for me to comprehend that you are gone. I think of Tammie and Der and Tiff and how much we all miss you, and it just seems so unfair. You were such a great uncle to me and I always had fun with you. You were so gracious and welcoming whenever we were together, whether it was a weekend in Vegas, a spring break trip to Phoenix, rodeo weekend in Ellensburg, or an amazing trip to New York City. I will always remember how you were always up for a good time and mostly concerned that everyone else was having a great time. I loved your sense of humor and wish we could sit down and have another glass of wine and talk about life. I will always try to be a good family member and friend like you were to everyone, and to live life to the fullest just as you did. I love you Uncle Bill! You are in my heart forever.
Tamaira Guenther
May 12, 2011
With Tiffany being my best friend I heard her talk about you all the time. How you were coming over to fix this, or help with that..no matter what it was you would always jump to her rescue. I heard only great things about you. You were an amazing man and am thankful for having the opportunity to have known you.
Rachel lamontagne
May 12, 2011
You'll be missed uncle bill!! Say hi to aunt sandy and Grandpa for me. Love Rachel
Leah LaMontagne
May 11, 2011
Bill, you made me feel so welcomed into Jerry's family right from the start, thank-you. We miss you and feel robbed of your presence with us. The boys adored you and were just getting to know the fun, caring, generous Uncle you were. Rest in everlasting joy.
"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."
1 Timothy 6:12
May 11, 2011
We send our love and compassion.Only when we loose our limbs do we truly dance. Love Paul and Bonnie
karen mcinnis
May 11, 2011
I will miss you Bill. I feel like I've known you forever. You taught us all how to really care and nuture our relationships. How to entertain like masters and love completly. Thank-you for taking such exquisite care of Tammie and your family. We will all be there for them to pick-up where you left off. We will try our very best to make you proud!
Nikki Keating
May 11, 2011
I signed the Arizona guestbook already, but wanted to sign this one too. How do you convey in condensed form however all the many words to describe Bill or how his passing has affected us all? I meet Bill and Tammie, through my sister, in 1990 when we all lived in Chelan and they were part of the new “Movers & Shakers” in town. I ended up going to work for Bill from 1995-2000 and have known him both professionally and as a friend for twenty years. When I worked for him he always said that I raised the standard for those around me, but he indeed is the one who set the bar so high. I have never met anyone whom I have looked up to or respected more. He was a smart businessman, loyal family man, and the kind of friend that everyone should be so lucky to have in their life. Anyone whose life he touched was left better for having known him. We will all miss his wisdom, sense of humor, kindness, compassion, positive outlook, and love of life. Rare to find all these qualities rolled into just one person, but Bill was indeed one-of-a-kind. I will miss his smiling face, laughter, and dear friendship.
Derek Harrison
May 11, 2011
Dad,
I really don't even know what to say. I have lost a lot of my ability to speak much. Words can not begin to describe the hurt I feel inside. You were the best father anyone could ever ask for. My life, and the life of everyone that loved you will never be the same again. You were an example of exactly what a man should be and more. I am so proud to be able to say that you were my dad and that you have raised me in your image.
Last night you visited me in a dream, I actually had the chance to talk to you and you told me that more than anything you wanted to let me know how proud you are of me. I will always do everything I can to show you that I can live up to your expectations. I will continue your legacy every day. I will work as hard as I can at everything I do and give every bit of love I have to everyone around me just like you did.
I am so thankful for the times that we have had together. It kills me to think that those are gone. I know that you will always be here watching over us and will never leave our side. I love you so much dad and I look forward to the day our family can be together and complete again. I will miss you every second of my life.
Tom Tice
May 10, 2011
Well, I waited until the last minute to sign this. Just one the the qualities you taught me...It feels like your just at home and I wait for your next trip up. I can't believe your gone. I find myself wanting to send you an e-mail or text or something to ask your advise. Like Brian Ripley said at your service "I am a better man for knowing you" I could not have said it better. I truly am a better man. I miss you Bill...I will do my best to continue what you started. Your shoes are hard to fill. I look forward to standing with you again singing "Hey Jude". Maybe even do the "gator". Until then...I love you man.
Julie
May 10, 2011
Bill,
There are only a few couples I know that really seem like "true soulmates" and you and Tammie are one of them. You were such a great man and friend and Tammie was blessed to have you as a husband for many years. The problem is, there were many more that should have been...many fun retirement years that you so deserved.
I was also blessed to have you as a friend. You were everyone's biggest fan, standing quietly and supporting, just enjoying everyone's happiness.
I will miss you Bill and like everyone, I wish I had more time to talk to you.
Chip Dehulio
May 10, 2011
Willie, I'll see you soon - Love ya, Bro
Tiffany
May 10, 2011
Dad,
I am still not sure why such a wonderful person had to be taken from us. You were my hero, my inspiration to succeed in life, and the rock that got me through anything that came my way. You always knew what I was capable of, and pushed me that much harder when I was afraid to fail. I will hang onto everything you have taught me about business and life, and use it to the fullest. I will surround myself by positive people, so that the only way I can go is up.
I have plans of opening up that other store we talked about, now with moms help. I know we will do well with it and make you proud. I keep wanting to call and ask your opinion on certain things, but at least I know you will always be guiding us in the right direction.
I wish you could always be here to see all of the good things I will do with my life, but I guess you already knew that would happen because I had such a great teacher. You are the most amazing father a girl could ever ask for. I love you up to God, and will miss you forever.
Bill, Chip and Bruce at our wedding (Leif & Emily)
Leif Harrison
May 10, 2011
Mr Bill checking out our WW2 uniforms ,only guy who could wear one.
Dolly Goosman
May 10, 2011
It took me long enough to do this as I rarely feel the need to leave a message in a memorial book. Bill will be the exception to this rule as he was a very special person.
Over the years I have lost many people I loved and thought I would never have to be without, but I never thought Bill would be one of them, I figured we had years and years left to hang out and enjoy his company ,so his no longer being here is still a shock. Bill was truly one of the nicest people I have ever known , always giving ,always attentive ,always sharing ,I never saw Bill mad at anyone and that says a lot about him and the kind of person he was.
It was a joke around our house for years that we should be lighting candles at the alter of St.William as he was so good to his mother-in -law Kay, he was a better child to her than most people are their own mothers and took away a lot of our stress that we had about her welfare as we knew St. William was there.
It is so hard to write about him as I want to think he is still there with Tammie going to ball games ,drinking wine and just taking care of business. I always think about the great times we all had together over the years and smile .
Our life has changed forever and the world just got darker by his not being here .My heart hurts for Tammie and all of Bill's children and his brothers,he was one of a kind and I will love him and miss him forever.
Larry Gangle
May 10, 2011
I first met Bill when I started working at G.G. Richardson, Inc. in 1996. Our working relationship turned into a valued friendship. We had a lot of fun times together that I will never forget. Dondi and I always cherished our trips to Fountain Hills (thanks to Bill and Tammie's generosity for hosting us). Bill always made the trips memorable and got us on to the best golf courses. Bill my friend, you will be grealty missed. I am glad that I got to know you.
Gary Ray Goosman
May 9, 2011
I have put this off for some time because that is how I treat things in life that bother me I just ignore them, that is probably why I can't hold a steady job. Mr. Bill was a best friend to me, I met him when I was eleven or twelve, I remember the meeting but not the date. He was five years older than me and always treated me fair and with respect, even in those early years when most older guys try to figure new ways to torment younger boys he was always nice to me and helpful. Mr. Bill and I were always in contact with each other and never lost touch for very long at all, I was around when he married his first wife and would stop to visit his new family and even get invited to his partys, even though I was younger and on a way different course he still continued to treat me equal, I have found that a very rare quality in life. Mr. Bill was like a brother to me long before he married my sister, when I bought a house he was right there instantly to see my venture and offer any help I needed, again a very rare quality, when I went out in the Pacific to work he wrote me letters, that is hard to do when you are busy with life it is called taking a moment for a friend not to many people do that. Later on in life I had invested in a building I got a phone call one day and it was Bill, he said "I'm setting out front of a very cool building in Moses Lake called The Ritz...you did good". He had made a special trip there just to see what I was up to, no one else in my family did. I could go on and on about things Bill did that made him different from most of the people on earth he was rare and very very special, I have a ton of good stories about Mr. Bill just ask me and I would be glad to tell you some. If you are reading this it probably means that you were fortunate enough to have known Bill and I say count yourself lucky even if it was just for a few minuites that you knew him because you can look a long time and not find a person more honest, sincere, kind and just fun to be with than Mr. Bill. I will miss him something powerfull till my dying day, the world is less of a place without our Mr. Bill.
Lindsay Logsdon
May 3, 2011
Uncle Bill,
I miss you so much. I can't stop thinking about you and the smile you always had when I saw you. I have known you my whole life and have so many amazing memories that I'm so lucky to have. The Ellensburg Rodeo will not be the same without you. The Party Barn will forever miss your Gator dance and your Rodeo shirts. I will (probably) never get another phone call from Bret Michaels. When I think of you and Tammie, I think of our trip to NYC together. It seems like our fun together just began. I loved you for always being the one to stay out a little later, order desert, dance one more song, have one more drink, spend a little more money, and most of all you made sure we were all having the best time. Thanks for being a wonderful, caring, generous, awesome and handsome Uncle always. I love you Bill! Love Lindsay
Dondi Gangle
May 3, 2011
Bill made a person feel welcome from the very first second you met him. Thanks to Bill I had my first limo ride, watched my first baseball game from a nice restaurant at the field, watched a spring training game from front and center and went to mexico for the first time. Bill was very funny and really wanted to make sure everyone was happy, but he was also very compassionate. We were with Bill and Tammie in Mexico and a pelican came and laid its head in my lap. After Tammie called all of the couples down to the beach to see the pelican it died. Bill was very sad about the pelican. Bill, Tammie and myself walked up to the condo and cried for the pelican. Later that week Bill and Tammie went into town and baught me a big wooden pelican. Bill was kind, funny, compassionate, giving and alltogether a really awesome person. I was blessed to have known him. I am still blessed to know Tammie. Kindness like that is a couple thing and they worked together to make so many people feel special.
I am thankful for the time I got to know you Bill.
Rod Goosman
May 2, 2011
I met Bill in 1961 when we were both 14 years old and I was the new kid at Mountlake Terrace Jr. High. My first day in class,I met Bill and hoped we would become friends. It didn't happen right away but we bacame friends later that year and our friendship lasted 50 years. For every one of those 50 years I have great memories of Bill. High school days of chasing girls, driving cars and having our first beer. During the summer between our sophomore and junior year we rode our old 3 speed bicycles to Cresent Lake on the Olympic Peninsula for a week long trip. The weather was beautiful and we had a fantastic time.
So many wonderful times at Lake Chelan and in Ellensburg for the rodeo. Bill loved the cowboy atmosphere and although he couldn't ride a horse he sure could "gator" at the Gold Buckle Party.
So many good times, great laughs and good wine. Life will not be the same without my buddy Bill. Our week with Bill and Tammie in Arizona was wonderful. Barb and I will forever cherish the final days we had with Bill. He was so happy with his place in life with Tammie and his four children. I love "Our Beautiful Bill" and miss him so much.
Rod Goosman
Brooke Goosman
May 2, 2011
Uncle Bill, I am so sad I don't get to hang out with you again and I'm still in shock that you're gone. Even though I only saw you a handful of times a year it was always so much fun. I'm so sad I missed the rodeo last year, especially your rap. NYC was so much fun and I think it was that last night that everyone was ready for bed but you didn't want us to go to bed because there was still so much fun for us to experience. You didn't want us to miss anything on that trip. We went to the W hotel and kept the party going. I'm so glad Lindsay and I stayed out that night with you and Tammie. You could stay up later than any of us and still be ready to go the next morning. Always ready for a good time. I hope I can live life the way you did. I will forever admire your passion for life, for having fun, and how you cared for your family and friends. I know you would have done anything for our family. Thank you for being an awesome uncle.
Kandi LaMontagne
May 2, 2011
Tammie, We are so sorry for Bill's passing and think about you every day. He was such a great person and will be missed greatly.
Love, The LaMontagne Family
Mike, Kandi, Ricky, Rachel, Kama
and Kris and Michael too,
Doing what he loved most!
Tammie Harrison
May 2, 2011
Happy Days
Tammie Harrison
May 2, 2011
Daddy and Derek
Tammie Harrison
May 2, 2011
Daddy and Biff
Tammie Harrison
May 2, 2011
Jeff Potter
May 2, 2011
You were a good friend and a loving husband and father. Your joy for life was always present. I will miss our cooking together, wine drinking and long involved talks.
gina badeaux
May 2, 2011
bill you are loved by so many jesus is loving you more today than yesterday .thank you for taking such loving care of my friend tammie and may we all party again soon in heaven on earth
Jason LaGreca
May 2, 2011
Thank you for all the great memories throughout the years!!! You and your family have been so kind to me and my family!!! You will always be in our hearts!!! Love Jason, Char, and Jessica.
Wendy Goosman
May 1, 2011
Bill, you will be greatly missed by the Goosman family for your quiet wisdom, your unbiased love, and your sincere compassion for us all. Our lives will never be the same without you.
Scott Logsdon
April 19, 2011
Bill always had a way to make others feel welcome. I will always think of Bill as not only family, but a good friend. I promise to do my best in keeping up with our traditions and the good times going!
Scott Logsdon
Becki Todd Margeson
April 19, 2011
Tammie , Cherie,Wendy my heart goes out to you at the loss of such a special man. I have great memories from growing up !! God bless
Becki Todd Margeson
Scott LaGreca
April 19, 2011
The past 15 years you have blessed our family will be remembered forever...you have left a void in our hearts that will never be filled.I learned that you loved us/me, as we/I you. Every time I see somthing that reminds me of you, I don't know if I should cry or laugh...I choose to do the later. With love, Scott & Chris
Bills Birthday in Italy
Tammie Harrison
April 18, 2011
Bill - Like I said at the service if I was to tell the story of our life I would have to start it with "Once upon a time" You gave me a wonderful life and made me who I am today, I am a better person because of you. I was so lucky to have 31 wonderful years with you. It could never be long enough and I will miss you everyday of my life. You were not only a wonderful husband but a devoted loving father and a loyal and true friend. I can't imagine life without you but I promise to do my best to live each day as you would. You are the most amazing person I know and I am blessed to call myself your wife. I love you up to God - forever. I miss you! Love Your wife forever - Tammie
Jolene "Lojenie" Finch
April 18, 2011
Whenever I think of Uncle Bill I think of the many times we visited him and Tammie, Derek and Tiffany in Lake Chelan. He was always the cool uncle, from the time he would take us boating when we were kids, to letting us party at his beautiful home in the hills when we were teenagers. He called me Lojenie, a special name he gave to me. He was always smiling and always ready for a good time. There is no doubt that he loved Tammie and all 4 of his children. Bill was a special kind of person, smart, charming, funny, and care free. He will be greatly missed by all of us. My prayers go out to Tammie, Derek, Tiffany, Cherie and Wendy.
Steve Tice
April 18, 2011
I met Bill 15 years ago. Bill, Glenn and I talked about me running the sheet metal shop in Entiat, Wa. A regret I live with. I knew then Bill was a stand up guy. Although I don't speak for my brother Tom, Bill was not only his boss but Tom considered him his best friend. Tom has never spoke negatively about Bill, and that's saying a lot if you know my brother. We hung out the weekend after the service and shared many stories. Bill is and will continue to be greatly missed.
Ron Goosman
April 17, 2011
Tammie and Family our prayers go out to you.
Love Ron and Jo Goosman
Anne Harrison
April 17, 2011
Tammie, Derek, Tiffany, Wendy, and Cherie..and the Harrison family,
You are in my heart and prayers during this terribly difficult time.
Bill had an amazing way of knowing what was important to people, and sharing his sincere attention and time. I remember him walking through my garden with me and looking at the cauliflower. It sound so silly..but it was an accomplishment for me - I had never been able to grow cauliflower!
My garden was my place to escape and find peace. Bill's incredible insighfulness picked up on that...and he gave me the gift of his time.
As I watched the videos and looked at the picture I felt his kindness, warmth, strength, and embrace.
Bill had the unique ability to bring a room to calmness and tranquility while at the same time insidiously stirring the pot for fun and laugher.
I am thankful I was able to talk to him when he visited after Jared's passing. He struck me as timeless...I belive that was from the amazing positive energy he has.
The world will benefit for time to come from his gifts and energy as that is still with you even though he is not here. His generosity was without bounds or judgement - so unique and precious to this world. He so generously and endlessly lent his strength and allowed the other person to hold it as their own to move forward with success and happiness.
Please take care of yourselves and each other, and if there is anything I can do to help let me know.
Love always,
~Anne
Steve Manzanares
April 15, 2011
We go back with Harrison Family to the early 50's . Time flys when your having fun !!
To Jack,Jim,Bruce and Bill's
Family we offer or Heart's and Prayer's in these trying time's.
The Manzanares Family offer our Heart Felt Condolence for your Tragic Loss in Bill's sudden passing.
He left a LEGACY for all of us to understand the true " VALUE OF FAMILY
Thank You Bill !!
Steve Manzanares
(Manzanares Family)
Kristina Coleman
April 13, 2011
I have only met Bill a few times. But the times I did, he was so full of life and always smiling!!! Tammie and family, no words can take away the pain you are feeling and i am so sorry for that. I wish you peace and strength in your hearts. Just know you are surrounded by people who love you and will be there for you through this difficult time. Bill will live on in your hearts forever. You are in my prayers.
Peggy Stenson
April 13, 2011
Tammie and family so very sorry for your loss. Our Prayers are with you and your family. Love Peggy (Goosman)Stenson and family.
Kellie
April 13, 2011
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Jerry LaMontagne
April 12, 2011
My Bill. You were a wonderful Uncle, a very dear friend, and a great man. Thanks for everything, and all the Thanksgivings... My prayers are always with our Tammie...
Gene Goosman
April 11, 2011
Hey Bill,
Who knows why you had to leave us so soon in life. Just when you had it where you had always hoped for. Not fair. We had some great times. Not so much in high school. You younger kids always got in the way of us "upper classmen". Now, of course you have to say "classpeople". Our time came when we started working projects together with our fathers companies. We had some pretty fun times, you always did something funny. For a while there we would see each other on a job in the morning and say - no way, not tonight and then by 4:00 I was calling you or you were calling me and the trouble would start all over again. We went through a few tough times as well but managed to come out on top of that. There was, of course, the 10 or 12 years of softball. You were quite the coach and really put together a team that made a dent out there. If you can look back, you can be very proud of the family and friends that showed their love of you. So many of your Arizona friends stepped up to the plate and pitched in to help Tammie and will continue to do so. They were there from the minute news went around.Your company was and will continue to be a big support group too. There were so many great things said about you at your service but I think the best came from your friend Scott. He said you were more than a best friend, you were a brother. So I lift my glass to a great friend, a generous person and a wonderful brother in law.
Love Gene Goosman Jr.
P.S. If dad were here he would say "you certainly took care of my birthday girl as promised!"
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