William “Bill” Robert Munich, 63, of Eastsound, died unexpectedly Saturday, Oct. 1, 2005 in Anacortes.

He was born Jan.8, 1942 in Minneapolis, Minn,, the son of Robert and Helen (Griswold) Munich. Bill grew up in the Seattle — Burien area and graduated from Highline High School. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard 1960 — 1964, being stationed in the Arctic/North Pole and later in Japan for two years.

Following the Coast Guard, Bill attended Highline Community College and the University of Washington. He met Gaye Kesler and they were married on April 3, 1965 in Burien.

Bill was owner and operator of “Brown Well Drilling” in Eastsound and was just considering retirement before his death. Bill absolutely loved flying! He also had a passion for boating, restoring Suzukis, fishing, traveling, and WWII history. Bill was notorious for his boating inventions and a myriad of machine tooling and equipment inventions. He was a very special man -— a larger than life person who had a heart of gold. Bill was always there to help anyone, anytime! He willingly shared his knowledge and expertise with others and could fix just about anything.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife, Gaye; son, Hans William Munich; daughter and son-in-law, Heidi Gaye and Dennis Dudley; grandchildren, Tristen Skye Munich, Claire Dudley, Maddi Dudley, and Sophie Dudley; brothers, Wayne Munich and Steve Munich; and mother-in-law, Faye Kesler.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at noon Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005 at the home of Steve Verharendse, 6192 Campbell Lake Road, Anacortes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bill’s granddaughter’s school that he had so much fun supporting through their annual auction, Bright Water School, 1501 10th Avenue, East Seattle, WA 98102, phone number 206-624-6176, www.brightwaterschool.org; or to the Orcas Island Lion’s Club — WRM Flying Scholarship, PO Box 1212, Eastsound, WA 98245, www.orcaslions.org.

Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes and San Juan Islands. Please share memories of Bill and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.