William Robert "Bill" McLenachen

William 'Bill' Robert McLENACHEN William 'Bill' Robert McLenachen, 74, of La Conner, Washington passed away on Monday, March 7, 2011, in Anacortes, Washington, after a brief illness. Bill was born on October 1, 1936, in Rochester, New York. He graduated with the class of 1954 from Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach, California, where he met his future wife of 54 years, Nola Walston. After high school, Bill attended Northrup Aeronautical Institute in Los Angeles and San Diego State College. His career in aeronautical engineering began at Rohr Aircraft in Chula Vista, California. A job opportunity at Boeing brought the family to Washington State in 1965. For the majority of his career, Bill did contract aeronautical engineering working on the interiors of many large private planes, some of which were owned by professional sports teams and foreign dignitaries. He was also a member of the engineering team that designed the current Air Force One. Later in his career, job opportunities took Bill to Connecticut, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Throughout the 60's and the 70's, Bill loved hunting and always had his 'B-dog' Black Lab with him. In the 80's and 90's, he turned to golf, which he remembered playing with his Dad. Later, Bill and Nola made several trips to Scotland to discover the country where his father was born. During these trips, he connected with relatives, enjoyed the beauty of Scotland and its golf courses, including St. Andrews. Bill was an expert on sports. He knew the history and rules of every sport but took special joy in watching his favorite teams, the St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers. Bill enjoyed gardening, fishing, boating, and especially having a good time with his family and friends. As a young adult, Bill expressed an interesting being a history teacher. Although he did not follow that career path, he maintained a life-long interest in politics and was pleased that he had lived to experience the election of President Obama. Each morning for the past few years, you could find Bill in his shop watching CNN and listening to progressive talk radio. He will be missed by all. Bill was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Nola; sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Debby McLenachen, David and Sue McLenachen; daughters and son-in-law, Pamela and Craig Meland and Stacie McLenachen; and grandchildren, Julie McLenachen, Steven McLenachen, John McLenachen, Andrew McLenachen, Emily Titus, Alison Meland, and William Meland. He is also survived by his two brothers, David and Ronald McLenachen. At the family's request, memorials in Bill's name may be made to a local Humane Society, or other animal shelter, as his dog and cat brought him great joy.Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Bill, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.