William Henry Abel

1923 - 2014

William (Bill) Henry Abel

Bill passed away at his home in Lake Forest Park seventeen days short of his 91st birthday. He was born May 24, 1923 in Long Beach California and left this earth May 6, 2014. Bill graduated from Hayward High school in 1942, receiving a football scholarship to College of the Pacific. Though he loved sports and was a natural athlete he was a very humble man and rarely spoke of his personal and professional achievements. He proudly served in the Navy on the USS Raleigh, and would recall those years in service as some of the best of his life. He would later attend with his daughters and grandchildren many Naval ship reunions. Bill married Anna Swanson in 1948 and would spend 53 happy years with her. They had two daughters, Joann Crow (Dennis) and Carla Merisko (Brian). He was a devoted family man, always putting his wife and daughters first. He would reap the benefits of hard work after 40 years in the school supply business. He was passionate about geography and it reflected in his work as he called on schools and conducted map and globe presentations. He retired from Rand McNally in 1986. His quick wit, sense of humor, love of laughter and outgoing personality served him well, but it would be his loyalty to friends and customers that will long be remembered. He embraced life and all it had to offer. He loved banjo music and joined the Seattle Banjo Band. He appreciated Whidbey Island where he marveled at the ever changing landscape and enjoyed fishing, clamming and hunting in the early days and grew tomatoes in his yard in later years.

Bill cherished time with family and friends. After Anna passed away, Betty Gering came into his life. She filled his days with laughter and love and gave his life new meaning. Bill was always grateful for all his blessings and he shared his gratitude often. He leaves behind grandchildren: David, Julie, Katie, Carl, Marcus and Nancy, and cherished the time spent with them. He will be forever loved and missed.

Donations can be made in his name to Puget Sound Honor Flight.

Service: Tahoma National Ceme-tery, May 21, 2014 at 2:30 p.m.