Charles Burdett “Bill” Case, 89, died naturally and peacefully April 9, 2005, in the house on Case Farm where he was born July 17, 1915, almost 90 years before. He was part of the third generation to farm this land still owned and lived on by fourth, fifth, and sixth generation family.

As a pioneering family, Arthur Case, Bill’s father, came to Whidbey Island from Newport, Ore., in 1891. Arthur married Mary (Thode) Case, and they had five children all born on Case Farm. Bill spent his entire life farming with his two brothers. For a time he worked for Mike’s Sport Shop as a mechanic and for Island County Road Department in addition to his farm duties.

Bill graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1933 where he was active in football and track.

He married Eleanor Ohlsen in 1959. She preceded him in death in 1995. Together they built their home at Case Farm. In retirement years they were snowbirds in Arizona.

Both Bill and Eleanor loved to garden and kept a beautiful yard around their house. Bill enjoyed growing flowers, giving them to his friends and neighbors. He was a member of the Skagit Men’s Garden Club for many years.

Bill loved children and they affectionately called him Uncle Bill. During his adult life he played Santa to many in his neighborhood. He especially enjoyed the 14 years he spent as Santa at Wood Bee Christmas Tree Farm owned by Gail and Chuck Jaeger, that was once a part of Case Farm.

His parents, brother Henry Case, brother Arthur Leroy “Pete” Case and sister Alice Case Lang Jensen preceded him in death. Survivors include sister Mildred Case Hall Sanders of San Diego, Calif.; step-sons Fred Kline of Seattle and Robert Kline of Kingston; nieces Gail Jaeger, Norma Case Edens and Sheila Case-Smith, all of Oak Harbor, Pat Harter of San Diego, Calif., Sue Phillips of Florida, Carol Moser of Kingston; and one nephew, Marvin Lang of Oak Harbor. Many great and great-great nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 16. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to United Way. Internment will be at the family plot at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel.