William Tomaras

Dr. William A. Tomaras, know as "the Father of Wrestling in Washington State" passed away August 12, 2007, from Alzheimers. He was born October 15, 1921 in Decatur, Illinois to Hilda & Andrew Tomaras. While serving in England in World War II he married Dorothea "Dolly" in 1944. He coached at WSU and started the first State High School Wrestling Tournament in 1953. He served as Athletic Director/Chair of the PE Department at Western Washington University and the Director of the Everett Senior Citizen Center. He is named in the Washington State High School Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, the Western Washington State University Hall of Fame, Helms National Wrestling Hall of Fame, National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Top 100 Citizens of Everett. Surviving are his wife; sons Gus (Shannon) Tomaras and Randy Tomaras; sister Anne Phillips; grandchildren Tyler, Troy, Trevor, Jaclyn, Andy, Kenny, and Tara; and 12 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his son William A. Tomaras, II and his brother Chris Tomaras. Memorial service at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor, Washington. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, PO Box 3416, Silverdale WA 98383 or Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Legacy Memorial Fund, 435 Main Avenue S, Renton WA 98057 (make checks payable to WA Interscholastic Activities Association).