Bill Sample passed away Nov. 9, 2003, at home surrounded by his family after battling a long illness.

Wilbur “Bill” Harry Sample was born on July 12, 1924, in Spring Valley, Minn., to Wilbur and Harriet Sample. He graduated from high school in Spring Valley and enrolled at Macalester College where he met his future wife Joan Demaray. He was drafted into the Army and served until the Naval Academy accepted his application for admission. Bill received his appointment and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1949 and married Joan in 1950. He attended postgraduate school at MIT and graduated in 1954 as a naval engineer. His naval career took Bill and his family all over the United States and to Guam. His final duty station was Portland, Ore., where he retired from the Navy in 1969, and Joined Gunderson Brothers as head of the engineering department.

He met and married JoAnn Cox in 1977. Bill’s love of sailing brought him to Oak Harbor to buy a sailboat and he commuted from Portland to Oak Harbor for six months. In 1978, Bill retired as assistant to the division manager and the couple moved to Oak Harbor to take on remodeling a house and sailing. Typical of Bill, he had to have his hands into something so he purchased The Roller Barn in 1980 and learned the roller skating business. He owned the Roller Barn from 1980 to 1990 and retired for the third and last time.

Mr. Sample loved sailing, but also took time for bike rides and hiking around Whidbey Island. He also liked to travel in his RV taking many trips around the country. He could be seen every morning at City Beach Park walking his dog, Peppi until his illness made walks impossible.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Joan in 1977.

Bill is survived by his wife JoAnn, three daughters Denise Demaray and husband William, Karen Sample, and Wendy Sample; four grandchildren, Nathan, Aaron and Gregory Tainter, and Malcolm Sample who reside in Portland, Ore. He is also survived by his sisters, Edna Doering and husband Kenneth and brother Bertrand and wife, Jenean who live in Madison, S.D., Leora Gabrielson and husband, Dwane, who reside in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Bill will be missed by his family and friends, but leaves legacy of love, a gentle spirit, and the honor of a man whose word was his bond.

At Bill’s request there will be no funeral services. Family suggests memorials be made to Skagit Hospice, American Heart Association or American Lung Association. Local arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.