L. William "Bill" Rill

Lloyd William “Bill” Rill was born on December 4, 1937 in Lake City, Minnesota, the 4th child of Lloyd Casper and Elsie Mae (Fick) Rill. Growing up, he attended Lake City High School and then continued on to college at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. There he met the love of his life, Avis Baldwin. At Gustavus he was a 3-sport letterman in football, baseball and basketball. In football, he was inducted into the Gustavus Hall of Fame as a center and linebacker. In baseball, he was offered a professional position with the Cardinals as a catcher. In basketball, he rode the bench. He then attended Mortuary Science school at the University of Minnesota. He and Avis were married on June 17,1961 in Excelsior, Minnesota, and they remained happily…with brief exceptions when they were playing cards together…married for just short of 63 years.

In 1963 Bill was offered a job by John Gilchrist at Pendleton-Gilchrist Funeral Home in Port Orchard, Washington. In 1970 John retired and sold the business to Bill and Avis. He was a member of Port Orchard Kiwanis, a Shriner, a Mason and Port Orchard Chamber Man of the Year. He also served as a board member and president of the WSFDA Funeral Directors Association where he met many of his colleagues and made many friends.

Bill absolutely loved to chase that little white ball around. He spent years in the Merchant’s League golfing at Clover Valley. He donated much of his time coaching his kids. He loved to travel, visiting his Minnesota relatives, and later in life enjoyed many cruises where they made friendships that continue to this day.

He was a quiet man of strong faith and an extremely hard worker, both in his professional and personal life. He was also very proud of the fact that he never wore a hearing aid, although this caused a few comical conversations between he, Avis and maybe some of you as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Jeanne Wise and Catherine Fitzgerald.

He is survived by many who loved him; his wife Avis; his sons Mark and wife Pamela Rill of Port Orchard, David and wife Lori Rill of Costa Rica; Grandchildren Carissa and husband Scott Carlson, Tana and husband Tim Soderlund, Laura and husband Andrés Preciado, Mackenzie Rill and Ellie Rill; sister Pat Workman; sister-in-law Enid and husband Robert Coning and brother-in-law Mark and wife Chris Baldwin along with several nieces and nephews.

Please join us to celebrate Bill at the events below.