William "Bill" Ekemo

1924 - 2013

Beloved husband, father and friend William "Bill" Ekemo passed away Sunday December 8th, 2013 at Franke Tobey Jones Health Center in Tacoma Washington.

Memorial Services will be held December 12th, at 3:00 p.m. in the Franke Tobey Jones Memorial Center, 6250 North Park Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98407.

Bill was born to Fina and John Ekemo, May 2, 1924 in Valdez, Alaska where he grew up with his brother John, sisters Lily, Pearl, and Marguerite. He made his home in Cordova Alaska, building a wholesale and retail grocery business with John Ekemo and Pete Loveseth and worked for Alaska Steamship Company until mid 1960's. At that time he moved to Anchorage to manage the Alaska Steamship Company operations in Alaska. In the early 1970's Bill moved to Seattle where he continued his career in the marine transportation industry. In the 1980's Bill and partners formed The Barge Line serving Southeast Alaska.

Bill was a gifted poet, and artist. He filled the lives around him with warmth and humor. Bill and beloved wife, Bernie greatly enjoyed traveling the world, and literally dancing along the way. They also enjoyed building and remodeling homes but most of all spending time with their large extended family.

Bill is survived by his wife Bernie; children Bill, Ron, Sandy, Jean, Sherron and Kathleen; sister in-law May; former wife Wanell; and many cherished grand children; great-grand children; nephews and nieces.

We would like to thank the loving caregivers at the Alzheimer's unit, Our Place, Franke Tobey Jones and the Health Care Center.