William Edward Dickinson
November 6, 1943 - August 21, 2008
Obituary
William ‘Bill’ Dickinson
Bill was born on November 6, 1943 in Seattle, Washington and passed away on August 21, 2008 in Puyallup, Washington at the age of 64. He spent his childhood school years in Los Angeles and summers at Three Tree Point.
He was very involved in Sea Scouts as a youth. A car accident in the summer of his 16th year left Bill paralyzed with a slim chance for survival. Despite the doctors’ dismal predictions, he lived an inspirational and remarkable life as a quadriplegic for 48 more years. Defying all odds, he graduated from Highline High School in 1962 and then from North Seattle Community College in 1979. With his degree in business technology and data processing, Bill became a computer programmer for Rainier Bank and later, the WA. State Dept. of Corrections. He owned his own home and a specialized van. With gross movement of one arm and a custom steering wheel, he was able to drive to work and to explore the Pacific Northwest. In recent years, he was a regular attendee at the Paramount and 5th Avenue Theatres and stayed connected to the world via his voice activated computer system. He amazed all who knew him with his brilliant mind, his uncanny memory, his love of history and movies, his great sense of humor, and his determination and will to live an independent, productive life.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Albert Dickinson, his mother, Jean Dickinson, and a sister, Carol Carr. He is survived by his brother, David Dickinson of Mesa, AZ., his sister, Leah Craig Colin of Normandy Park, and his stepmother, Rae Dickinson, of Normandy Park, as well as nieces, nephews, and his loyal buddies, Terry Eyers of Burien and Garry Fanthorpe of Normandy Park.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com
Ann and I are saddened to hear of Bill’s passing and so honored to have known him as a neighbor at Three Tree Point. His life is an inspiration of “overcoming” to those of us who complain without true cause. Rest in peace, Bill.