William "Bill" DeLeeuw

1933 - 2025

William "Bill" DeLeeuw
May 3, 1933 - August 20, 2025
William Donald "Bill" DeLeeuw entered eternal glory on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. He was born on May 3, 1933, in Sultan, WA, to William and Effie DeLeeuw.
Bill spent his early years in Sultan, where he enjoyed time with his cousin Willie Vos and attended Sultan Public School through the 7th grade. His family later moved to Sumas, where he completed 8th grade, and then to Mount Vernon, where he attended high school through his sophomore year before deciding to begin working.
He raised chickens, worked on his father's dairy, and during this time met the love of his life, Wilma. After two years of courting, they were married on June 4, 1954.
Just prior to their marriage, Bill purchased a herd of registered Holsteins and rented a farm. After three years he realized dairying wasn't his calling and briefly tried carpentry before returning to farming, this time taking over his father's dairy. Seven years later, after a trip to Eastern Washington, he purchased an 80-acre farm and began raising alfalfa. Over time, he expanded his operation to more than 900 acres. Bill farmed faithfully until retiring in the mid-1980s, when he sold his farms to his son and sons-in-law.
Bill and Wilma enjoyed many adventures together. They traveled in their motorhome across all 50 states and joined caravans to Mexico, Alaska, the Maritime Provinces, and New York City. His favorite journey was the Cooper Canyon Caravan in Mexico, where they were able to ride the rails in their motorhome. The couple also shared a love of square dancing, enjoying it together for over 20 years, and later spent many happy hours playing pinochle at the Senior Center.
A man of faith, Bill served the Lord faithfully throughout his life. He held positions of leadership at his church from the time he married until retirement. Additionally, he served on the New Life Christian School Board for two years.
After retiring from farming, he rediscovered a love of carpentry, crafting countless gifts for his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends, as well as donating pieces to charity.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Wilma, and their children: Sherrie (Russ) Cole, Brenda (Ron) Thomas, Tami (Jeff) Kok, Susan (George) Harter, Robert DeLeeuw, and Melanie (Jeremy) Hawes. He leaves behind 22 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Effie DeLeeuw; sister, Agnes Bult; and brothers, Ed, Jack, and David DeLeeuw.
Bill will be remembered as a faithful man who worked hard and loved deeply. He never let anything go to waste, could fix nearly anything, and credited his long life to God's grace and keeping busy.
His family cherishes the memory of his humor, including a plaque gifted to him that read: "The more you complain, the longer God makes you live."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Life Christian School. Arrangements are under the care of Scharbach's Columbia Funeral Home of Quincy, WA.