William F Locke

Bill was our good friend during our days at Wittenberg, and we loved his wry smile and awesome sense of humor. Tom chose him as his 'Best Man' for our wedding (60 years ago!), and we remained friends from afar for the rest of his life since he and Jean were always living some exciting and beautiful place far from Ohio. Bill often shared his love of the national parks with us and inspired and advised us as we ventured to many of them. On our way to Denali in 1999, Bill and Jean hosted us in their beautiful Bainbridge Island home for a weekend and treated us to the full "Seattle experience," especially pointing out his beloved Mt. Rainier each time we ferried across Puget Sound. What an exciting experience we'll never forget!

Jean, my dear friend and sorority sister, we wish we could be there to hug and comfort you, but please know that we are keeping you and your family in our prayers. May God give you beautiful memories and his everlasting peace.

Since I married his daughter, Cindy, Bill was my father-in-law, and I couldn't have asked for anyone better. He was always kind, funny, and generous.

He took me to Hawaii with the family even before Cindy and I were married, and bestowed the nickname 'Maui Boy' on me. Whenever we visited the Locke's on Bainbridge Island, he always found some excuse to borrow our car and fill it up with gas, or slip us $20 bucks when we had starter jobs and not much money.

Bill taught me to golf and passed along many good life lessons and bits of advice.

When we had our first baby, Connor, he was Bill's first grandchild, and Bill became "Boppy" from then on. He loved playing with the grandkids, and helped forge them into the wonderful people they are today.

His last piece of advice to me was "Don't get old." I know he meant that to say, stay 'young at heart' and take care of yourself. It was so sad to see him deteriorate mentally over the last few years, but he always kept his core essence of being kind and funny.

You will be greatly missed Boppy.

Rest well godfather/uncle Bill. Best to Aunt Jean, Cindy and Vicki and their families.

Doug, Shari and Madison Mooney

I have known bill for about 65 years. What a guy. Met him at Mt Rainier when he was a park Ranger. We played basketball and slowpitch together. He became a friend forever. Thanks Bill. Diana and i followed his lovely daughters growing up. Our hearts and thoughts are with Jean, Cindy and Vicki. We love you.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Jim Tobin always considered Bill one of the best. And I remember Bill and Jean as truly good people.

Bill was my supervisor in the Seattle Budget Office of the NPS and in addition to be my boss he was a good friend. What I remember most about him was his wonderful, quick, sharp, dry wit. After his retirement, he was part of my regular four-some in the annual Kowski golf tournament. I always looked forward to that tournament because I knew I would be laughing for much of the 4 + hours it took to play. RIP Bill.