Bill Heller died on July 11, 2011, after a 20-year battle with kidney disease.

He was born Jan. 1, 1945 in Mount Vernon. His father Hans Heller died at a young age. His mother, Dena, then moved the family to Oak Harbor where they had extended family.

Bill attended Oak Harbor Christian School and graduated from Oak Harbor High School class of 1963. He was in the Army Reserves and then moved to Hawaii to work as a carpenter. He also fished in Alaska and worked in Oak Harbor for Trask Construction. The Shell oil refinery in Anacortes was his last employment. He retired early with medical disabilities.

He is survived by his wife, Sherrie; daughter, Stephanie Hewett (Bill), son, Peter Heller (Bethany), grandchildren, Allison and Evan, brothers, Richard and Chuck Heller, sister, Leona Brannan.

He was proceded in death by his parents and son, Joe, also a devoted border collie, “Jack.”

In 2003 Bill recived a kidney from an unknown doner. It not only extended his life, but also provided him a better quality of life with hope. His family encourages you to give the “gift of life” by choosing to be an organ donor.

Cremation was under the direction of Waller Funeral Home.