Bill L. Armstrong
Lt. Col. Bill L. Armstrong, USAF Ret. passed away on January 19, 2017. He was born February 19, 1946 to Harry and Martha (Patsy) Armstrong in San Diego, CA. The family relocated to Bremerton, WA in the 1950s, where Bill attended Dewey Elementary School in Manette and graduated from East High School in 1964.
In 1968 he earned a BA degree in English from WSU and later earned an MBA from Golden Gate University. Upon graduation from college he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Force where he served for 20 years with distinction and honor until his retirement in 1988. Returning to his home state and settling in Redmond, WA he embarked on a rewarding 24 year career at the University of Washington, retiring as the Associate Director for Campus Operations on August 1, 2012.
Bill was a maker of dreams. He always dreamed of a place on the water to call his own, and with his wife Paula they found that spot on Lake Florence on Anderson Island and made his dream come true. No one was a stranger to Bill, and to all he met he shared the song in his heart and a hug of epic proportions. He was loved and known for his duty to God, Family and Country in addition to his spot-on impersonation of John Wayne, his personal hero.
He is survived by his loving wife Paula of 50 years, and his two sons, Ryan Lawrence and John Patrick.
A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Innocents Catholic Church in Duvall, WA on Saturday, February 4th, 2017 at 1:00 PM. Online directions: http://www.holyinn.org
Military Honors and Internment in honor of his committed service to the United States will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery on Monday, February 6th at 12:30 PM. Those attending this service must arrive no later than 12:15 PM. You will be directed in your vehicle to the Cortege Assembly Area for the procession. Online directions: http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/tahoma.asp#di
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s name to Wreaths across America or Holy Innocents Catholic Church in support of their pantry outreach program, please follow links below: