William Raymond McNae was born March 18, 1925, in Seattle to William and Helen (McFeat) McNae. He attended Seattle schools, graduating from Garfield High School in 1943. Upon his graduation, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served as a Seabee for three years during World War II.

Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Bill entered the University of Washington, where he studied forestry for a time. Bill soon changed his major to art education, which he found more suitable to his natural talents. He married Joan Burrows in 1949.

After farming for four years in Alberta and being employed as a draftsman for the Boeing Company, he returned to the University of Washington and received his bachelor of arts degree in art education in 1962. In later years he attained his master’s degree in education, and worked as a seasonal ranger at Mount Rainier National Park for nine summers.

Bill taught art at Chinook Junior High School in Bellevue for 25 years and wood carving at Bellevue Community College. On Feb. 12, 1977, he married Marjorie Stackhouse Carpenter. The couple made their home in Bellevue. Bill retired from teaching in 1987. In 1995, he and Marj moved to Oak Harbor, settling on property which he had purchased in 1963. It was there that Bill enjoyed such hobbies as carving, sketching, beachcombing, gardening and the occasional Pepsi break. He was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church.

Bill is survived by his wife Marj at home in Oak Harbor; their four children: Robin Fluharty (Phil Bransford) of Seattle, Debbie Shores of Kirkland, David Carpenter (Gretchen) of Sammamish, and Will McNae (Ronda) of Bellevue; their 10 grandchildren: Bryn Fluharty, of Seattle, Stuart Fluharty (Katherine) of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Talia Shores Major (Steve) of Florida, Taylor and Spencer Shores of Seattle, Blake, Marissa and Ryan Carpenter of Sammamish, Ella and Liam McNae of Bellevue; his sister Helen McKinlock of Seattle; and numerous other relatives. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bert McNae, and a sister, Eva Whitney.

Bill was deeply loved and admired — he will be missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation, M/S S-200, P.O. Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145-5005; or to the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 N.W. 2nd Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at http://billmcnae.muchloved.com

Arrangements are with the assistance of Whidbey Memorial.