William Forrest Aitchison

06/19/1925 - 08/26/2011

AITCHISON, William Forrest"Bill"
June 19, 1925 - August 26, 2011

Our beloved father, grandfather and friend died suddenly from an unexpected illness on August 26. Bill was born June 19, 1925 to Harold F. and Doris C. Aitchison in Hillyard, WA. After moving to Spokane, he attended Logan Elementary School and Lewis and Clark High School, graduating in January 1943. He enlisted in the United States Navy in May of 1943 and served aboard the USS Jupiter in the Pacific Theater of Operations in World War II. Bill always said that being in the Navy was the most fun he ever had, even if people happened to be shooting at him.

He married his high school sweetheart, Racelia Ann Tuttle. With the exception of time spent in San Francisco, CA during Bill's service to his country, they spent their entire married life in Spokane. They had four children: Barbara Harvey (Bruce Rothermel) of Longmont, Colorado; Leslie (Dennis) Sellers of Mead, WA; Susan (Richard) Reid of Spokane, WA; and John (Barbara) Aitchison of Phoenix, AZ. They were also the very proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by nieces Carola Connell of Round Rock, TX, Andrea Asbell of Tualatin, OR, and Vickie Ahari of McLean, VA, and David Wilson of West Virginia.

Bill is fondly remembered by his family as a wonderful father, but he remembered by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as being truly great! His grandchildren are: Jennifer (Harvey) Straub, Michael Harvey, and Robert Harvey of Colorado; Cynthia Harvey of Washington, D.C., Mark Manum of Seattle; Sean Manum of Salt Lake City, UT; Tim Reid and Nathan Reid of Spokane, WA; and Thomas Aitchison of Seattle, WA and Teresa Aitchison of Spokane, WA., Great-grandchildren include: Shannon and Ryanne Straub of Centennial, CO; Marlo and Shay Harvey of Longmont, CO; Tavis, Tate, and Teagan Harvey of Westminster, CO; Sophie and Woody Manum of Seattle, WA; Alex Reid of Spokane, WA; Colby and Jaden Aitchison of Spokane, WA, and Ellie McKenna Aitchison of Seattle, WA.

Bill worked for Washington Machinery and Supply Company in Spokane for many years. Following this, he worked for Jobbers Warehouse Company, and then as a representative for WestCo Rep Company. All of these firms were involved with the automotive business, and he had many friends and acquaintances throughout the industry.

Bill was a loving and devoted husband and following Racelia's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, he was a compassionate caregiver. He became involved with the Alzheimers Association and helped many other people whose families were coping with the challenges of caring for their loved ones. After Racelia's death, he moved to Lilac Plaza, where he became a very active resident of that community. As well, he was an longtime participant in the water exercise program at the YMCA, where he made many friends. One of these friends, Audrey Rolando, has become an honored member of Bill's extended family and is cherished by his children.

Audrey and Bill had many fun adventures in numerous places, including Washington, Idaho, Montana, and especially during an Alaskan cruise. They also went to many community events and were especially fond of concerts and theatre presentations. If Bill was unavailable at his home duty station, he and Audrey were usually off an one of their frequent excellent adventures or voyages of discovery!

Bill will be remembered at a memorial service at Lilac Plaza on September 16 at 1:30 p.m. His remains will be interred at Mountain View Cemetary in Farmington, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by any donations made in memory of Bill Aitchison to the Alzheimers Assocation.