William Berger

William Max “Bill” Berger joined his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the morning of April 27, 2005, at Whidbey General Hospital. He died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Bill was born Aug. 19, 1926, in Davenport, Iowa, to William Max and Lydia P. (Meyer) Berger. Following graduation, Bill joined the Navy, and served two years aboard a destroyer in the Pacific. After World War II, he graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., where he was a member of Gamma Alpha Beta Fraternity.

Bill entered civil service in California in 1954. His career took him to the Washington, D.C.-area; Paris, France; Keflavik, Iceland; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and, in 1970, to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as director of Civilian Personnel. He held that position until his retirement in May 1984.

Bill married Ally Leavitt in 1960. They recently celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary. Their marriage was blessed with a daughter, Heidi Lynn Hansen of Granite Falls. In addition to his cherished wife and beloved daughter, Bill is survived by his brother, Robert Berger of New York; his son-in-law, Daniel Hansen; his adored grandchildren, Lydia Grave and Luke William Lyle Hansen; his nephews, Lawrence Berger Greenspoon, M.D., of Maryland; Paul, Karl and Andrew Karstens of California; his special niece-in-law, Kathy Karstens; his Godson, Alan Meyer, of Davenport, Iowa; and several other members of his extended family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Maejanne Karstens, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to: Oak Harbor Lutheran Church — ELCA, 1253 NW Second Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277, or North Whidbey Help House, 1091 SE Hathaway, Oak Harbor.

A memorial service is set for Monday, May 2, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Cremation by Burley Funeral Chapel.