William “Bill” Herwick, Sr. passed away at his home in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 4, 2009 at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Jane; his sister Gretchen Kleimer of Bozeman, Mont.; sons William Herwick, Jr. of Camano Island, Wash., and Pastor David Herwick and wife Zara of Burien Wash.; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Bill was born in Mankato, Minn. in 1917. He attended school in Sleepy Eye, Minn. and upon high school graduation, he attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minn. He served a single tour of duty in the United States Navy during World War II. Upon his discharge, he and his wife settled in Ballard, Wash., where he was a lifetime member of the Ballard ELKS (BPOE). Bill, his wife and his business partner Vern Snow established Kollmar Sheet Metal on Elliot Avenue in Seattle.

Upon his retirement from this business, Bill and Jane moved to Coupeville where they purchased “Pat’s Place” in Prairie Center and established the Tyee Restaurant, Motel and Trailer Court. Additionally, they built the Tyee Apartments next to Main Street Market/Christiansons Appearal. It was during this time that Bill served as a Coupeville City Council member. He went back into the sheet metal business establishing “Bill’s Metal Shop,” providing a much needed service for home heating installation in the Coupeville area, as well as metal gutters and decorative copper metal trim for local businesses such as the newly established Whidbey Island Bank.

Bill, his son Bill Jr., and grandson John contributed to the installation of the sheetmetal duct work and heating system for the Island County Historical Museum in the early 1990s. Bill and Jane retired to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1992. Continuing his sense of community service, Bill served several terms on the Tradewinds Hotel Board of Directors. The Herwick’s often welcomed friends and family from the mainland and served as unofficial tour guides.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother Agnes (Timm), father Emil Herwick, step-mother Ida (Zimanski), and sister Margery (Watson).

At his request, Bill’s ashes will be scattered at sea in a private family service.