Wymer "Bill" Braaksma was born in Vrouwenparochie, Friesland, the Netherlands October 28, 1941. In 1954, when Bill was 12 years old, he immigrated with his parents, Tina and Piet, and his younger brother Chuck to Longview, WA. During and after high school, he raised and sold cattle with his dad. He later worked at various jobs (construction was a favorite) until he started working at Reynolds Metals, mostly in the medical department as an EMT. The skills he learned there were of great value for the remainder of his life.
After 32 years, he retired and began doing handyman jobs with his brother. He also raised a garden, built a shop, updated his house inside and out, and started a Christmas tree farm in his backyard — starting with 400 trees. A very busy man.
In 2008, he and his wife, Cathy, moved to Fircrest to be closer to family — especially their grandchildren, who became the center of Bill's world.
Bill built another shop and continued as a handyman, mostly on his own. During this time he also spent 5 years working for Titus Will.
He had a knack for creating. One of his first projects was building doll beds for his oldest two granddaughters, Edda and Julia. That one small gift turned into years of crafting—he and Cathy sold doll beds at local bazaars, turning sawdust into joy for kids and parents alike. He also had another garden in Fircrest, raising tomatoes, beans, peas, corn, carrots, and raspberries.
Travel was another passion. Bill made it back to the Netherlands to reconnect with his roots, but some of his best adventures were closer to home—road trips in the RV, especially to Lake Chelan, were a favorite. He was happiest behind the wheel, which made sense—his first vehicle was a truck, and he proudly owned one right up until the very end.
In recent years, Bill found a second home at the Fircrest Community Center, where he enjoyed coffee and doughnuts with other seniors. He had the gift of gab, and Cathy loved that no matter where they went, Bill would strike up a conversation and come away with new friends.
Bill's story is one of hard work, love for family, and a genuine enjoyment of life's simple pleasures. He leaves behind not only memories but also the many traditions and stories that will continue to be told by those who loved him.
He was a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren: Edda, Julia, Frankie, Mac, Connor, Elizabeth, Mara, Anne, Emma, Theresa, and Jeffrey.
Sadly, Bill passed away August 9, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Cathy, and their children — His: Laurie Braaksma and Lynn Louden, and Hers: Sandra Winmill-Higa, Donna Jordan, Lisa Curtis, and Lance Winmill, their eleven grandchildren, his brother, and many, many family members and friends.
After 32 years, he retired and began doing handyman jobs with his brother. He also raised a garden, built a shop, updated his house inside and out, and started a Christmas tree farm in his backyard — starting with 400 trees. A very busy man.
In 2008, he and his wife, Cathy, moved to Fircrest to be closer to family — especially their grandchildren, who became the center of Bill's world.
Bill built another shop and continued as a handyman, mostly on his own. During this time he also spent 5 years working for Titus Will.
He had a knack for creating. One of his first projects was building doll beds for his oldest two granddaughters, Edda and Julia. That one small gift turned into years of crafting—he and Cathy sold doll beds at local bazaars, turning sawdust into joy for kids and parents alike. He also had another garden in Fircrest, raising tomatoes, beans, peas, corn, carrots, and raspberries.
Travel was another passion. Bill made it back to the Netherlands to reconnect with his roots, but some of his best adventures were closer to home—road trips in the RV, especially to Lake Chelan, were a favorite. He was happiest behind the wheel, which made sense—his first vehicle was a truck, and he proudly owned one right up until the very end.
In recent years, Bill found a second home at the Fircrest Community Center, where he enjoyed coffee and doughnuts with other seniors. He had the gift of gab, and Cathy loved that no matter where they went, Bill would strike up a conversation and come away with new friends.
Bill's story is one of hard work, love for family, and a genuine enjoyment of life's simple pleasures. He leaves behind not only memories but also the many traditions and stories that will continue to be told by those who loved him.
He was a proud grandfather to eleven grandchildren: Edda, Julia, Frankie, Mac, Connor, Elizabeth, Mara, Anne, Emma, Theresa, and Jeffrey.
Sadly, Bill passed away August 9, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Cathy, and their children — His: Laurie Braaksma and Lynn Louden, and Hers: Sandra Winmill-Higa, Donna Jordan, Lisa Curtis, and Lance Winmill, their eleven grandchildren, his brother, and many, many family members and friends.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bill Braaksma, please visit our flower store.
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