William Bernard Imholt Jr.'s Obituary
William Bernard Imholt, Jr. Our world lost a buoyant spirit when Bill Imholt, Jr. passed peacefully from bone cancer on July 7 at the age of 81. Among his many attributes were his incredible love for his family and friends, his genuine interest in others, his fun-loving playfulness and joy for living, his devotion as "Pappy" to his grandchildren, his deep Christian faith, and a distinctive belly laugh that made others smile. His parents, Maurine and William Imholt, Sr., welcomed his birth on April 23, 1930 in San Francisco, CA. Bill grew up in California, first in San Anselmo, then Atherton. He graduated from Sequoia HS (1948), continued to Stanford University (BA History, 1952), and obtained an MBA from Stanford (1958). Bill was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He married the girl from across the street, Carol (TD) Blackmore, a union that thrived for 58 years until TD's passing in May 2010. Bill is survived by his little sister Holly Vick (Jim) and niece Margaret Holiday (Deborah Gorman) of California; his two children, Bill III (Doreen) and Mandy (Scott) Candler, his treasured grandchildren Tricia Imholt Parsons (Brian), Jennifer Imholt, Paul Candler (Emma Ootkin Candler), John Candler (Natasha), Andrew Imholt (Liz), Teresa Imholt, Paul Imholt, Sally Candler, and Laura Candler, and his adored great-grandson, Thomas Candler, age 7 months. Bill served three years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, achieving the rank of Lt JG. His professional careers bounced Bill and his young family across the continent. His early jobs were sales management positions within the cement industry, with Riverside, American, and Hercules Cement companies. In 1968, Tacoma beckoned, with a sales management job at Educators Manufacturing. Bill entered the Insurance industry at Schwarz, Shera and Associates, then at Merrill Lynch, and eventually opened the William Imholt Company. His professional achievements included his CLU-ChFC, industry awards such as the Million Dollar Round Table, and the trust of his clients. As a final career, Bill served as mentor-coordinator for the Bill Gates Foundation Achievers' Program at Clover Park High School, working directly with students, teachers, and community partners. Bill's enthusiasm benefited many clubs and causes, including Tacoma Rotary #8 (President, 1978-79), Clover Park Rotary, Hospice of Tacoma, Lakewood Historical Society, Little Church on the Prairie (Sunday School leader and Stephen Ministry), and Save Lakewood. He was once a devoted tennis player at Lakewood Racquet Club, and a member of Tacoma Country and Golf Club and Gyro Club of Tacoma. The Imholt family wishes to thank Diane and Lisa from Heartwarming Care, Franciscan Hospice, and Merrill Gardens Tacoma for the care and dignity provided to Bill in his final weeks, and to his wonderful friends for the fun memories and kindness. A celebration of Bill's life and legacy will be held at the Little Church on the Prairie, 6310 Motor Ave SW, Lakewood WA 98499, on Friday, July 22 at 2 PM. Donations in Bill's memory to Little Church on the Prairie or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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