William Yates "Bill" Whittemore

1929 - 2025

Anacortes - William Yates Whittemore, age 96, passed away on November 26, 2025, at his home in Anacortes, WA, leaving behind a life of adventure, love, and generosity. Born on July 29, 1929, in Potsdam, NY, Bill was adopted by Georgina Yates and Edwin Chamberlin Whittemore and raised in Winchester, MA along with his older brother James.

Bill is survived by his wife Judith Ann Whittemore, his children Lynn Whittemore and Jack Burns Whittemore, and his stepchildren Kimberly Back, Kent Moore, Kirk Moore, Kelly Moore, and Rick Back, along with their children and grandchildren.

Bill learned to sail during his summers in Gloucester, Massachusetts, a sport which became a life-long passion. After graduating from Middlebury College in Vermont with a degree in mathematics, Bill enlisted in Officer's Candidacy School and deployed on a naval destroyer in the Mediterranean. He rose through the ranks to become the 3rd officer in command of the ship, demonstrating a capacity for leadership and integrity that were hallmarks of his life. Bill always valued hard work, honesty, responsibility, and graciousness.

In 1952, Bill married his college sweetheart Carol Lorene Cadmus and started his career with General Electric in Schenectady, NY where he worked on the earliest computers. His career took them to Venezuela, Arizona, and Ohio before settling in southern Connecticut where he spent the last 20 years of his professional life with the Xerox Latin American Group. He worked throughout Central and South America supporting companies and governments in joining the computer age.

Bill was ever young at heart with an unquenchable zest for life. He was an avid traveler, sailor, gardener, tennis and bridge player, and found joy in sharing his passions with others. After he retired in 1993, Bill and Carol traveled across the world, Europe, Asia, Africa, New Zealand, the Antarctic and more. His favorite places were Manhattan and southern Africa where he returned many times. He invited friends and family to join in sailing adventures in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

In 2006, Bill and Carol retired to Anacortes, WA, where they cultivated a wonderful network of friends. Carol passed away in 2010. Two years later Bill met Judy Moore, and a beautiful new love story began. Their years together were full of travel, adventure, and great happiness as Bill embraced his new family with gusto and delight. He married his beloved Judy in 2024.

Bill touched hearts wherever he went. He generously supported the local, national, and international causes he believed in. He delighted in hosting others, had a huge spirit and a sly, mischievous sense of humor.

Above all, Bill cherished his family, supporting them whenever and however they needed. In his last months of life, his ongoing refrain was one of gratitude and joy: "I have a wonderful family and a wonderful life. I love you all so much." Bill's adventurous spirit and boundless enthusiasm for life - Oh, boy! - will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. We wish him forever fair winds and following seas.

A Celebration of Life will be held in January 2026. Should you wish to honor Bill, please consider a donation to the Hospice of the Northwest in his memory. To share memories of Bill and to check on updates on his Celebration of Life, please visit: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/bill-whittemore.