William "Bill" Begole Cumings
March 4, 1944 - January 21, 2012
Obituary
William “Bill” Begole Cumings
Bill was surrounded by his family when he passed away January 21, 2012 at the age of 67 from respiratory failure due to pulmonary fibrosis. He was born March 4, 1944 in Flint, MI to Charles Begole and Mary Thayer Cumings. Bill grew up in Flint, MI, graduating from Principia High School (St. Louis) in 1962. He attended Denison College in Granville OH and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1967.
Bill’s banking career began in Denver, CO in 1973 starting with American National Bank, moving on to Majestic Savings & Loan, and finally with World Savings & Loan. While with World Savings & Loan, Bill and his family were transferred to Hillsborough, NJ and then to Tacoma, WA, where he retired from banking in 1999.
Throughout his life, Bill had a passion for boating. Upon retirement he started a new 5-year career selling boats for Olympic Boat Center in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Bill was involved with the Tacoma Yacht Club; he served on several committees and as Treasurer. He took pleasure in the many cruises and social functions that the Tacoma Yacht Club offered.
Retirement allowed Bill to pursue his love of music. He always had a song in his heart. Bill’s appreciation of all kinds of music was passed down to his daughter, Julie. Bill knew the words and artists of so many songs. After teaching himself how to play both guitar and bass, Bill derived enormous enjoyment from jam sessions with friends and cousins.
Family and friends have always been important to Bill, and that was especially true after his heart transplant in 1995. His warm personality and ever present easy sense of humor endeared Bill to all who knew him. Bill was a true gentleman with a passion for life. The last four years Bill remained connected with new and old friends and family through the social media. His efforts provided the impetus to keep a geographically separated group of family and friends connected. His legacy continues on in everyone who was lucky enough to know him. This legacy includes the value of a positive attitude in life, understanding what is really important, love of family and friends, and never giving up.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Anne Cumings, daughter Julie Cumings, sisters Virginia Cumings Inman and Miles Cumings Dumont, and stepbrother Leonard Sasso and stepsister Mary Lynn Sasso. Bill is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his stepmother, Mary W. Cumings.
Seventeen years ago Bill was gifted with a heart transplant. Because of that he realized how important organ donations are. In the end, Bill was able to reciprocate by allowing his corneas to be a gift to others. The care of the Cardiologists and Pulmonologists, especially Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Long, at the University of WA Medical Center as well as the nurses in the 5SE ICU was extraordinary. Thank you!
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10:00am at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Federal Way, WA. Memorials in Bill’s memory may be made to the University of WA Regional Heart Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195 or the American Heart Association, 708 Broadway, Suite 330, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Bill,
You leave a legion of friends who love you and miss you dearly. The memories are many, including the father/son duck hunts in Michigan, fishing trips in Florida and Montana and
and the great parties you put together in Florida to keep in touch with family and friends. Check out the fishing holes in Heaven for us so we can pick up where we left off.
Love you brother,
Carl Chapell
Goodbye, Bill. You will always have a special place in all our hearts for your warmth and sense of humor. From the memories of early childhood in Flint to twentysomething escapades in Denver, you have made my life richer. I have a thousand memories of you and all of them are special. Vaya con Dios.
Bill always had that playful sparkle in his eyes. He cared deeply about his friends and family. He was a great person and will be missed. We who knew him know he influenced all our lives in some positive way and as a result will live on in us.
We should all have the enthusiasm and spirit Billl brought to his life.
Dearest Anne and family. Gail and I were so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing! In 2010 he was on the Grand Marshall’s boat with us and our family, taking pictures for the yacht club. We are pretty sure he had more fun than anyone! He was a kind and caring man and will be truly missed by us all! Please accept our condolences and prayers.
Bill was a much loved member of our family. It probably isn’t easy to marry into a large family, but Bill did it effortlessly and graciously. He had such a personable and easy manner that everyone felt immediately comfortable with him. Bill took an interest in each of us – not because he was “supposed to”, but because he genuinely cared. He was so accepting and generous, he made it easy to believe that he was glad to be part of our family. It soon seemed that he had always been part of our family. Although our lives would take us to faraway places where we didn’t often get the chance to see each other, he was always part of my life. That’s the way family is – they are always with you. Bill was also such a truly authentically nice guy that I always enjoyed whenever we did have a chance to get together. He unfailingly saw the best in life and lived his life in a such a way that he could fully enjoy it. Life is never perfect, but Bill had a knack of making it seem that way. I mourn Bill’s loss, but I celebrate the life that he led and will look to him for inspiration in enjoying the best of the life I’ve been given. I’m going to miss Bill. I won’t call him my brother-in-law because that implies a relationship mandated by the state. Instead, Bill will always be a brother-in-love and an important part of my family who will always be with me. Brother, I wish you fair winds and following seas.
I had the pleasure of working with Bill at Olympic Boat Centers. What a kind, gentle, and sweet man. I consider myself very blessed to have known Bill. My condolences go out to his family. May you rest in peace. You were truly a wonderful man and will be missed by many
Dearest Anne: This is so hard for you and Julie. But, know that we are all here for you the parish Community of St. Theresa. You have been such a calming and strong force in our parish community for such a long time. You will never be alone or without someone to help you through this most difficult time. Bill is surrounded by all the Angels and Saints of heaven, and is in such a better place. No more pain, no more medicine, no more discomfort, just peace. Remember that always, and never loose your faith.
We all love you, Steve, Linda, Jennifer, Melissa, Victor, and Aden.
Bill will always be in my heart. I wish we had lived closer these last 50 years so i could have enjoyed the twinkle in his eyes and the playfulness of his soul. What an amazing person he was.
To: Anne and her family, as well as all the friends who loved and respected Bill.
Bill was a light in a dark room, always had something to say that would brighten and enlighten those he encountered. Words cannot express my deep respect for this beautiful man. He was geniune, a caretaker of others, and always ready to ensure that you had eaten. He will be greatly missed but I can just imagine how brightly Bill’s light is shining in his new home and will remain in our hearts.
Bill was a truly special person and a wonderful friend over the past 50 years. His equanimity, love of life, marvelous sense of humor, and great courage – especially evident over the last few years – have enriched the lives of so many friends and family members. I will always miss him and feel grateful to know him.
Well, Bill. I just don’t know how to say good- bye to you, and so I won’t. I wish I had a picture of us 63 years ago “painting” a shed at the farm with water. We were easily amused…and remained so ever after.
You weren’t just a friend, Bill, you were part of the fabric that made up my life. You could find humor in anything but knew when a gentle touch was needed. You were brave in the face of your own health problems and somehow made me stronger. How is it you could be of such good cheer no matter where you were, or what was going on? As some collect shells on a beach, you collected friends. You polished them and cherished them and kept them close. Each friend is better for having known you.
Where did you go, Bill? You were just here. We weren’t finished with you yet.
No, I won’t say good-bye, Bill, I’ll just say, “Until we meet again…” God knows I miss you, though.
I worked with Bill for many years at World Savings in Denver. What a wonderful man! I am so blessed to have had the privilege of knowing him. It was a pleasure to have had a chance to visit with him again when I traveled to the Seattle area for training with World. Then when we got word that he’d had a heart transplant, our hearts stood still knowing that he was getting a second chance to be so much to so many people who cared for him. One of my most treasured possessions from my career at World is the letter he sent to folks after his transplant. It was so positive and upbeat, just like Bill. A follow up conversation by telephone was a special treat! When such an extraordinary person walks our way, it is impossible to forget — he will be remembered!
We will miss you at Winter Wigfest. I know you will be with us in spirit, but I’m going to miss the mischief in those eyes. Adios amigo.
My brother Bill was the the most amazing, nice, humorous and wonderful man, I called him “The Miracle Man”. Many were our long and rambling phone conversations about anything and everything, and always about politics and music.
I am so proud of you, Bill, and I miss you so.
With love, Gini
Red, Right, and finally Returning. Fair winds and following seas to you, my old and dear friend. Wish you hadn’t left such a hole in me and so many others, not to be filled again. Connections to all we once were , now gone. Pissed about that, big time, but I guess we all can turn you loose now and stumble on by ourselves. Thanks for showing us the way while you could. Yes, thanks for the memories.
Hey Bill…… we so miss you. Your positive attitude has been inspirational. Evan when you were so sick, Anne would keep us informed of your great sense of humor. Our neighborhood get togethers were always so fun through the years. As I recall…. you were a main force behind the initial gatherings.
When Wayne & I first had our little sailboat; it was you who came with us to show us the basics. You were a great teacher.
You also married an awesome women. We will do our best to be there for Anne with the positive encouragement that you would want.
Love, Margie and Wayne
People tell me its time to say goodbye , but I’m not , as I am already looking forward to our next adventure , whenever and wherever it may occur. Over the last week , I have laughed so hard it has brought tears to my eyes , reliving memories of past escapades together . And then , 5 minutes later , I found myself in tears realizing it would be much too long before we shared another . While you were taken from us much too early , I am most thankful for the additional 17 years you were given to share with us . We are all better people for that . Take care my friend . You will always be in my thoughts and prayers .
What a wonderful flood of memories that we have of Bill -through so many years, the great times whilke living in Evergreen, hunting in Brush, working together, racing on Lake Dillon, at those Mulebarn poker weekends, fishing for trout, visiting with you, Anne and Julie in WA and CO, partying and just talking in quiet times. We feel so lucky to have been part of your life and will always cherish your warm presence and friendship.
So long for now old friend we’ll sail again soon, thanks for the memories, we love you, Bill & Chris
Bill came into my life when I was 7. I remember being excited to have another brother and 2 sisters. He was kind, fun and easy going with a great sense of humor. He always reached out to me as well as others and was very caring. I am amazed at his courage and indelible spirit. I know you, Bill, will live on in my heart and the hearts of many, many others. Wherever you are, may you be held by all the love coming your way.
I was fortunate to first meet Bill back in the early 1980’s. He hired me to work for the bank branch he was managing in Colorado when my husband and I moved to the state. Bill was always such a great friend to all employees and he spoke to every customer like they were family. I remember how proud he was when Julie was born! He always spoke with such love about her and Anne. Bill will be long remembered by many and I am grateful to have known him! My deepest sympathy goes out to his family.
We have only warm and happy memories of Bill. They are all frozen in time— raising two spunky daughters in the 1990s. One word summary of Bill Cumings: “KIND” Now that’s a wonderful legacy to leave!
We will miss Bill and his faithful attendance at our parties. He was always friendly and outgoing to everyone, even those who were “new friends” made that very minute. No one was a stranger in his eyes—simply a friend he hadn’t met yet. He had such an easy and charming manner that all who knew him, loved him.
I still recall the day that Bill, Anne and little Julie (maybe she was 8) picked up our daughter, Lisa, for a day at the zoo and dinner. Lisa and Julie have been fast friends since then and Bill was like her second dad. He will be missed by so many who had the distinct honor of knowing him.
BILL, MY LIFE-LONG FRIEND, THE MOST CARING, SWEET, FUN-LOVING, AND FUNNY(!) GUY I’VE EVER KNOWN. HOW TRULY BLESSED I’VE BEEN……HOW MUCH MY LIFE ALWAYS SEEMED BRIGHTER AND HAPPIER WHEN YOU WERE AROUND…..I SIMPLY REFUSE TO BELIEVE YOU’RE NO LONGER WITH US…..YOU’RE JUST IN A HIGHER REALM LOOKING DOWN AT US AND NO DOUBT SAYING: “I’M HAVING THE TIME OF MY LIFE UP HERE…..REALLY, NO BIG DEAL!”
EVEN SO, I MISS YOU TERRIBLY. ‘BOBBY B’
Hi Anne,
My thoughts have been with you since Bill’s passing. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to you, Julie, and all of your family. From what I read, and heard at school, Bill was quite a guy. May you be comforted by all of your wonderful memories together. He is at peace, and you will see him again. God’s blessings to you.
In sympathy,
Dana Kies
School’s Out Childcare