William F. Bulchis passed away on February 22, 2013 at his home in Kirkland, WA. He was born in Paterson, NJ to the late Robert and Helen Bulchis on May 30, 1950 and grew up in Hawthorne, NJ. Bill was educated at the University of Washington, his father’s alma mater, and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1975 from the University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University School of Law). After practicing law in Alaska for several years, Bill returned to Washington, where he served primarily as a consumer bankruptcy attorney in the Seattle area for over 30 years. Bill was highly regarded by his fellow attorneys and judges for his legal skills and honesty in dealing with all sides in bankruptcy matters. Bill distinguished himself by serving his many clients effectively and compassionately, and was a strong advocate of consumer rights.
Bill believed that education happens best when a person is passionate about a subject. In Bill’s case, in addition to the law, his passion was electronics. Much of his knowledge was self-taught. He built his first shortwave radio and obtained his Amateur Radio License and an Army Radio License while in high school, and built his first computer in 1979. As a young man, he did a lot of public service work as a ham radio operator, relaying messages from our troops in southeast Asia to their families and handling communications for his former parish priest who was a missionary in Peru. He served as an avionics technician for the U.S. Navy during his student days and worked on an antisubmarine aircraft as a radio operator and cryptographer.
Later in life Bill developed an interest in aviation, bought a single-engine Cessna and acquired his pilot’s license. Some of his favorite stories revolved around trips he made in his airplane. He also loved spending time at his condo in Maui, taking lengthy swims in the ocean, and exploring the island during his many trips there.
As his friends know, Bill had a quick wit, a good sense of humor and a kind and gentle heart. He maintained warm friendships with his roommates and classmates from the UW and law school. We will remember his generosity and kindness, and the enthusiasm he shared for the things he loved. His brothers and sister will long cherish his devotion to their widowed father. We loved him very much and will miss him always.
Bill is survived by his family, brother and sister-in-law Bob and Marianne Bulchis, brother Ed Bulchis and sister-in-law Theresa Gallant, nieces Anne, Laura, and Emily Bulchis, sister Kathy Bulchis and brother-in-law Doug Bonny, nephews Chris and Daniel Bonny, and his companion of the past eight years, Bernice Tannenbaum.
