William "Bill" THORDARSON

Spokane - Bill Thordarson, much loved by his family and friends, died at age 87, on March 8, 2024. Born at Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington, on November 11, 1936, Bill was the second son of his parents Dr. Stefan, "Steve" and Irma Thordarson. He had two brothers, one who died in infancy and an older brother, Stef, who passed away in 2023. Bill attended Stadium High School in Tacoma, where he excelled in sports as captain of the football team as well as holding offices in student government. Following graduation, he attended the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Chemistry/Biology.  Bill and his brother, Stef, were well-known at the Tacoma and Seattle Yacht Clubs, as they sailed competitively in western coastal waters throughout their school years and after.  Bill met his wife, Marilyn, at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. They married in 1959 and made their first home in a converted houseboat in Portage Bay in Seattle. Over the ensuing years, Bill's career in insurance commercial underwriting required company transfers from Seattle to Portland and Klamath Falls, Oregon, as well as Boise, Idaho, and Tacoma. During that time, they welcomed their children, Brent and Cindi, into the family. After many employment-related transfers, they selected Spokane to put down their roots, and Bill secured an insurance underwriting position there.  Bill was devoted to supporting Brent and Cindi's activities, coaching little league baseball, building an outdoor pool as well as a horse barn. He transported Cindi's horses to equestrian events and always attended Brent's band and jazz concerts and other school events. The family enjoyed many camping adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest, Alberta, and British Columbia, Canada.  Bill's special interest was Northwest history, and he built an extensive collection of books on the topic. He was active in the Hillyard Rotary, serving as an officer and president. Golfing, wine tasting, and sightseeing throughout the United States were Bill and Marilyn's shared pastimes following retirement.  As Bill's dementia advanced, his family settled him into Ciel, a memory care facility, where he was blessed by the care of an attentive staff, for whom his family is most grateful. In condolences, one caregiver wrote, "Thank you for allowing us to care for Bill, he filled our hearts and made us laugh." Bill is survived by wife, Marilyn; children, Cindi and Brent; daughter-in-law, Kami; grandchildren, Michael, Lindsey and husband Jordan; great-granddaughters, Thea and Iris; brother-in-law, Abe; sister-in-law, Marilyn Carol; niece and nephews, Staci, Scott, Shawn and Rocky.  Bill willed his body to the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine Willed Body Program to advance the education of future doctors.  Services will be held on May 4, at 3 p.m., St. Mark's Lutheran Church with Pastor Edwin Weber officiating.