Wayne A. Bill's Obituary
Wayne A. Bill
“Big W”
Age 68, passed on to the Creator on August 8, 2015. Wayne was born on September 2, 1946 in Tacoma, WA to parents Dora and Felker Bill. Wayne was lifelong resident of the Tacoma/Puyallup area and he was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Virginia Bill, his Daughter Nadine Bill-King (Dan), son Craig Bill (Olivia), his beloved grandchildren Anthony, Jenna and Nakeema. Wayne is also survived by brother’s Kenneth Bill (Cathy), Leroy Henry (Lila), Eugene Henry; and sister’s Alretta Bill-Howard, Loretta James, Annette Napeahi, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Wayne had an extensive and diverse work career. Pursuing his passion for fast cars, he attended Bates Technical College where he became a certified mechanic. After being a mechanic, Wayne switched his career and went on to obtain one of his dream jobs, which was becoming a Washington State Patrolman. As a State Patrolman, Wayne had the fortunate opportunity to serve as a mansion guard for then Governor Daniel Evans. Due to a health condition that prevented him from working actively in the field, Wayne decided to leave the state patrol and went on to work the next 25 years at Pioneer Business Forms in Tacoma, WA as a production supervisor. After a dedicated career in the printing industry, Wayne used is innate ability to connect with people and was called into the area of human resources which he loved. He spent the next 20 years developing human resource offices for tribal communities. Wayne worked for the Muckleshoot Tribe, Lummi Nation and retired in 2014 from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community after 10 fulfilling years of dedicated service as their Human Resource Director, where he was commonly known as the “HR Dude”.
Wayne was an avid sports enthusiast. He was a fierce competitor, a motivating coach and a fanatical spectator. An accomplished athlete, he believed in the motto that “you play to win or you don’t play at all”. Meaning you compete to your greatest ability all the time. His sportsmanship was an example of his greatness, win or lose, he always held his head up high and had a handshake and a smile for everyone. You name the sport he played it and excelled! From a hole in one to a 300 bowling game, he accomplished it. He made many lifelong friendships with those he competed with or competed against. Wayne was a standout basketball player who primarily played for the Tacoma J&M Bucks and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. His basketball travels took him to tribal communities throughout the greater northwest, and included memorable road trips to national tournaments. In 2007, Wayne was recognized and inducted into the National Indian Athletic Association Basketball Hall of Fame.
Wayne also enjoyed playing softball at Peck Field or SERA Fields, a round of golf at Madrona Links or bowling in the local recreation league. As his children grew older and became involved in sports, Wayne shifted from competitor to Coach. Wayne coached his daughter Nadine’s soccer team, the Strikettes. He coached his son Craig’s baseball team, the Cobras and teams in the Puyallup Roughriders football program. As a coach, Wayne instilled the same type of sportsmanship he played with. His coaching did not end only with his daughter or his son teams, Wayne also went on to become Head Coach of the Chief Leschi High School Boys Basketball team, an experience that he cherished and valued greatly.
As a fanatical spectator, you always knew Wayne was present, especially when it came to watching his children Nadine and Craig or his beloved grandchildren Anthony, Jenna and Nakeema compete or perform. He would travel far and wide to watch his children or grandchildren compete and perform and he was always there to encourage each of them to excel to their greatest ability and fulfillment. He also had an innate ability to encourage others far and wide to achieve their dreams. He encouraged them with his large sense of humor and straight to the point advice.
Wayne had many hobbies and passions that included classic cars, love of nature and animals and his crossword fill-ins. He was a movie buff that never passed up a good action film or Clint Eastwood spaghetti western. He loved to take his grandchildren to see the newest release. Wayne loved to travel and explore. Family vacations and travel included places like Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Alaska, Reno, Bemidji and Zillah. He also enjoyed traveling by RV with his wife Virginia to the ocean and the Omak Stampede. Wayne was also an avid enthusiast of watching and betting the ponies at Longacres and Emerald Downs. He had an eye for the winning horse and even in the end days he picked the triple crown winner in the Derby.
The family would like to thank the Heartwood Extended Care facility for the care of our beloved. We would also like to thank and acknowledge the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and Puyallup Tribe of Indians for their gracious generosity. A special thank you to all that have provided prayers and support to our family during this time.
Wayne had a spirit that was larger than life and was loved by all who met him.
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