Bill Bawden passed away peacefully at his home on June 29, 2016 after a courageous battle against cancer.

Bill was born in Oakland, Calif. on May 21, 1942 to Robert and Jean Bawden. He was raised in Concord, Calif. and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1960 where he served his country in various SAC bases in nuclear weapons.

Bill moved his family to Orcas Island in 1972 where he did various jobs before starting several of his own businesses’ which consisted of B&L Logging, Gordy’s Garage and most recently his oyster farm, Judd Cove Shellfish.

Prior to moving to Orcas Island, Bill was a deacon in the Messiah Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA and was instrumental in forming the Lutheran Church on Orcas Island.

He is survived by his wife, Charleen Bawden; his brothers Keith Bawden and James Bawden; his son Brett (Ursula) Bawden; daughters Kindre (Jeff) Loop, Lori (Frank) Gates; his two step-daughters Lisa (Mike) Lytle and Kathy (Steve) Monson. Bill has eight grandchildren: Sara Bawden, Clare Bawden, Stephanie Dickerson, Shelby Pawliski, Amber Loop, Bryan Rath, Justyn Rath and Taylor Nichole Lytle. Bill also had one great granddaughter Kenzie Lynn Dickerson and nephews C.J. Bawden and Jason Bawden and niece Nickie Bawden.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Jean Bawden and his two sisters Judy Bawden and Kathy Bawden.

There will be a memorial service at the Community Church in Eastsound, Wash. on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of life at the Arndt Ranch.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be sent to Orcas Island Hospice in Bill’s name.