William 'Bill' R. Kiesser, 81, of Anacortes, died on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at his home in Anacortes. He was born on September 5, 1928 in Bozeman, Montana, the son of Emil & Marie (Tudor) Kiesser. The family moved to Anacortes when Bill was 15 and on March 13, 1948 he married Janice Hauge.

He was employed by the Texaco oil refinery in the Anacortes area where he advanced to the position of instrument electrician. The couple spent all of their married life in Anacortes where Bill was very involved in the Anacortes Assembly of God church. He taught a Sunday School class for 40 years and became the first Royal Ranger leader of boys whom he enjoyed leading for 10 years. Bill was also a Boy Scout leader for Troop 84 of Summit Park for 3 years.

Much of his spare time was spent as a volunteer at the Salvation Army Food Bank. He loved to go fishing and went whenever he could with his sons, grandsons, family members and friends. Bill loved music and sang in the church choir and a mixed quartet for a number of years. He really enjoyed traveling with family and friends in his RV during his retirement years spending much of his time at Thousand Trails preserves where he assisted with many of the Chapel services.

Bill and Janice also treasured the 3 train trips that they were able to take around the U.S. When he reached the place in his life that he no longer traveled Bill wrote several poems and songs as he enjoyed playing the organ and beautiful view from his living room window of Mount Baker and Padilla Bay, which provided inspiration for his writings. As one can tell by observing his life, the company of his family and friends was very important to him.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Gladys Emmons Kiesser; brother and sister-in-law, Norman & Laura Kiesser; sisters-in-law, Katherine and Ida Kiesser; and nephews, Rodney Kiesser, Ralph Kiesser and David MacDonald. Bill is survived by his wife, Janice, at the family home; 3 sons, Randall Kiesser & friend Kathleen Lathom of Bellingham, Richard Kiesser & wife Judy of Anacortes and Ronald Kiesser & wife Rachelle of Mount Vernon; 7 grandchildren, Adrian & Lee Kiesser of Sedro Woolley, Kally Reno & husband Brett of Lewiston, Idaho, Corey Keisser & wife Tracy of Anacortes, Traci & Aaron Kiesser of Mount Vernon and Sarah Kiesser of Burlington; 3 great-grandchildren, Nicholas & Alyssa Reno of Lewiston, Idaho, Jay Kiesser of Anacortes and Juster Kiesser of Zambia; 3 brothers and sisters-in-law, Emil A. Kiesser of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Jack & Janett Kiesser of Sequim, WA, and Donald & Patricia Kiesser of Arlington, WA; a brother-in-law, Oren Hauge & wife Barbara of Lynden, WA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and his Aunt Wilma of Tacoma, WA who is 102 years old.

Memorials may be given to the Salvation Army Food Bank or Skagit Hospice. There will be a visitation from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2009 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Fernhill Cemetery. A memorial service in Bill's honor will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 5, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Anacortes.

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