Bill D. Whalen

Our loving husband, father, brother and friend to so many was taken to heaven to be with our Lord Jesus on Thursday October 21st. Bill was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Bill was raised in York, North Dakota and graduated from Leeds High School. Bill moved to Vancouver, WA in 1974. Bill was a grocery man for 45 years, he worked for Thriftway and retired from Kienow's in 2000. Bill was an active member of A.A. and just had celebrated his 20th year of sobriety January 2nd of this year. Bill loved his family and enjoyed taking them on vacations to Manzanita every summer over the last 20 years. Bill was and always will be a die-hard Irish man, one of his fondest memories was his trip Jacque and he took to Ireland, they also enjoyed vacations to Hawaii with their best friends Art and Gerry Collamore of Vancouver. Bill loved sports and enjoyed watching his grandchildren, nieces and nephews participate. He was always there and was their biggest supporter. Bill would travel anywhere they played, not only was he their biggest supporter he was their biggest fan. Bill touched everybody's life he met in such a special way it wasn't always about winning and losing as it was to teach a life lesson. Bill also loved "The Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame, "Go Irish!". Bill enjoyed walks and spending quality time with his wife Jacque of over 50 years and their 2 dogs. Bill you are going to be missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting you. You never had a bad thing to say and always told it like it was, you have many friends who love you. Bill was extremely proud of his oldest grandchild Joshua Whalen who is serving in the U.S. Navy. Bill loved all of his family and he would give the shirt off his back to anyone who was in need. Bill was the youngest of eleven children. His father Frank, mother Lana; sisters, Connie and Ethel; and his brothers, Frank Jr., Harry and Jack preceded Bill in death. Bill is survived by his best friend and loving wife Jacque; his children, Ken (Karen) Whalen, Kelly (Vickie) Whalen and daughter, Kaye(Hank)Hamm; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren, with his 3rd expected in May. As well as his brothers, Bart Whalen of Portland and Ward Whalen of Vancouver; sisters, Virginia Janke of Portland, Etta Miller of North Dakota and Pat Lein of Wisconsin.

Bill D. Whalen

December 29, 1937 - October 21, 2010