WILLIAM HOWARD WESTACOTT

William Howard Bill Westacott, 79, passed away on Monday, October 16, 2000, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Bill was born to Hazel and George Westacott on December 9, 1920, in Spokane, Washington. He grew up in Garfield, Washington, where his family farmed wheat and lentils on land homesteaded by his grandfather, William Whale Westacott. Bill attended Washington State University, where he studied engineering and pledged the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He left school after two years to join the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, and served for four years as a turret instructor on B-17 bombers. He received several service commendations.

After the war ended, Bill left the military and attended school in Los Angeles, California, where he studied electronics. He came to Richland in 1951, and worked as an Instrument Specialist at the Hanford Site for more than 38 years. Bill and Rita met through their membership in the Desert Ski Club, and they were married on June 1, 1957.

Bill received his amateur radio license when he was 16 years old. His callsign was W7FXA. Bill was a longtime member of the Tri-City Amateur Radio Club, and he helped with volunteer communications for many local events. He was a Mason for many years, and was also a 56-year member of the American Legion Post No. 24 in Garfield. Bill enjoyed talking with his friends on his ham radio, building and repairing electronic equipment, reading books, hunting pheasants on crisp October days, and spending time with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rita; his daughter and son-in-law, Martha and Dave Einan; and his twin grandchildren, Kathryn Annika and Timothy William Einan; all of Richland. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Roscoe Morgan of Bakersfield, California; and numerous cousins, including James and Willa Westacott of Potlatch, Idaho, and family; Maxine and Cliff Yadon of Gold Beach, Oregon; June Andres and family of Pasco; and Rodney and Frances McBroom of Richland. He is also survived by many dear friends, including Mahlon and Louise Kriebel of Garfield and Bob and Lu Kerns of Bend, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Elizabeth Westacott Morgan; and his favorite aunt, Florence ''Goodie'' Westacott.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 28, at the hilltop cemetery in Garfield. Family and friends are invited to attend. Please call 628-9139 and leave a message if you need driving directions.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, Washington 99336. Bill was a wonderful husband and father, and a good person. Whether around town, or on vacation to the Oregon Coast, Bill never met a stranger. He will be deeply missed, but we will always treasure our memories of him.