Wilmer “Bill” Perlis Wiegand
Bill was born in Olds, Alberta, to Perlis “Bud” Wiegand and Mary Webb Wagner Wiegand on 1/14/1929. He was raised in rural Didsbury, Alberta, where they farmed the land until they “froze out” when he was 9 years old and moved to Troy, NY. They moved a lot because his father was in construction. But this led them out west to Sedro-Woolley to work on the construction of the Diablo Dam until it was finished in 1949.
Life was hard due to the Great Depression, the Diphtheria pandemic, and WWII. So, at age 14, Bill decided to spend his summers stoking the coal engines of ships on the Great Lakes. Because of this, he wasn’t able to finish high school, yet, obtained his GED in 1948.
Bill was fearless – a Can Do, Take Charge Man. After obtaining his GED, he worked as an apprentice mechanic at Sedro-Woolley Auto Parts. He learned to race the owner’s cars which led to many nail-biting events including 3 endo flips across the finish line in an A Main Heat at the Skagit County Fairgrounds.
In the meantime, he started working for the Burlington Police Department and then applied to work for the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. However, he had to become a naturalized citizen. So, he continued working for the BPD and as a mechanic until naturalized in 1954.
He was finally able to land the Line Sergeant position with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Department and specialized as a Rescue and Recovery Diver which carried with it the emotions that came with it. Then, he became an officer at the Mount Vernon Police Department in order to be closer to home. Many were scared to death of Bill, yet, admitted that he was firm and fair. Because of him, many people chose the right path.
Shortly thereafter, he met Ellen Galbraith through friends, and they married 11/29/1956. They raised 4 children and he worked hard to provide for the family by taking on second jobs as Service Managers respectively for Rygmyr Lincoln Mercury and Blade Chevrolet. He retired from police work in 1960 and will always be known as a great civil servant for this community.
Besides his strong work ethic, he enjoyed boating in the San Juan Islands, fishing, hunting, spending time on Ellen’s farm, and visiting family in Canada. Likewise, he enjoyed dancing, church activities, travelling in their RV across the U.S, and riding his Harley with his wife by his side.
He was a member and EMT of the Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Fighters for 24 years. He fought the Max Dales fire with his son, Gary. He was the President of the MVPD Civil Service Commission. Likewise, he was devoted to taking care of children in Foster Care and tried to be a strong mentor for anyone who crossed his path.
Bill passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Mira Vista Nursing Home on December 9, 2023.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen, of 67 years and their 4 children – Doug, Gary (Ruth), Cindy (Craig), Jeff (Tami); Grandchildren – Staci, Cassie (Mike), Zackary, Travis (Stephanie), Holly (Justin), Aleena, Sydney, Amy (Josh), Alyssa (Adam), Rachel (Mitch), Rani, Ryan; Great Grandchildren – Boston, Ayden, Riker, Raymond, William, Stella, Greyson, Jonah, Noah, Jocelyn, Grier, Hudson, Olivia, Teagan, Grayson, Emersyn, Paisley, Harvyn, Holt.
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 16, 1p, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Memorials can be made to the MVPD, c/o Chief of Police, 1805 Continental Pl., Mount Vernon, WA 98273 and the MVFD, c/o Fire Chief, Mount Vernon Fire Department, 1901 N. LaVenture Rd., Mount Vernon, WA 98273.
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