William Joseph Allen

William “Bill” Joseph Allen, age 70, passed away August 18, 2004, at University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle. He was born June 12, 1934, in Denver, Colorado to Theodore and Gertrude Allen.

Bill joined the U.S. Navy in 1952. He was originally assigned to the U.S.S. Salisbury Sound. He married Barbara J. (Foster) Allen in Moscow, Idaho, Jan. 6, 1965. He served more than 23 years in the Navy and was assigned as flight crew/navigator aboard the Navy’s A-3 Sky Warriors. Bill served proudly in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and received many awards and medals before retiring from service Oct. 31, 1974.

After retirement, Bill attended technical school receiving his diploma in refrigeration. In 1975, Bill started his own company, Bill’s Refrigeration, and proudly served the Whidbey Island community for more than fifteen years. In 1990 Bill began work in civil service for Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, first as a security officer, then at NAVFAC and finally with Naval Hospital Oak Harbor. Bill retired at the age of 67.

Bill enjoyed many hobbies including woodworking, oil painting, and home improvement, but what he enjoyed most was being with his grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife Barbara at the family home in Oak Harbor and by his six children and their families: Nedra Kaye Allen and husband Michael Smith of Pine Bluffs, Wyo., and her children Derek Groom and Jeremy Johnson; Fredrick Wilford Allen and wife Linda of Antioch, Calif., and their children Peter, Sam, Megan and Morgan Allen; Kimberly Joan Smith of Salem, Ore., and her children Emily Smith and Kelsey Smith; Terrie M. Johnson of Lynden, and her children Natasha Carin Johnson and Logan William Johnson; Alethea Colleen Hartzell of Everett, and her children Garrett John Hartzell and Marissa Kiery Hartzell; Theodore “T.J.” Allen of Oak Harbor, Washington and his daughter Brooke Elizabeth Allen.

Bill is also survived by two sisters and three brothers: Nora Gruenenbaum of Colorado; Charlotte Stoecker of Colorado; Theodore David Allen of Seattle; John Maurice Allen of Denver and Arthur Allen of Palm Springs, Calif. Three great-grandchildren, Kaia-Jo Paben, Alexia and Ashlee Allen of Wyoming also survive. He will be dearly missed and always loved.

Funeral services for Bill Allen were Aug. 24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Oak Harbor. Full military honors were presented under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington.