William Frederick Lilgreen

William was born on May 19, 1927 in Little Falls, Minnesota to Herman and Katie Lilgreen. He passed away peacefully on March 9, 2013 with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Elaine, his children, Kathy and Jim Clark, William and Dorinda Lilgreen, Kerry Lilgreen, Lori and Craig Miller, and Mark and Cindy Lilgreen. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, numerous other children that called him "grandpa Bill", and his brothers from Minnesota, Al Lilgreen and Oddle and Ella Lilgreen. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, 3 brothers, and 3 sisters.

As a child, William always wanted to work for the post office. He would walk to the post office every Sunday to pick up the Sunday school lesson, and then he and his sister would go to an empty church and do their lesson. He had a strong religion and was a Lutheran all of his life. He taught Sunday school for 23 years at Our Saviour’s in Arlington. He lived during the depression and learned that family was most important. He even considered Elaine's brothers as his brothers, calling them brother Wayne, brother Gary and brother Lyle.

William worked in the iron mines, various other jobs and finally went to work for the railway mail service in Minneapolis. He wasn't a big city guy so he quit and came to Stanwood, Washington in 1956 with his wife and 3 oldest children to work with his brother in construction. His youngest 2 children were born in Washington. He moved to Arlington in 1958, was reinstated in the post office and began working at the Arlington Post office, retiring in 1987 as branch manager. After 5 years of retirement he went to work for the Mukilteo School District, retiring in 1998.

During William's life he was a World War II veteran, a Boy Scout leader, a provisional scout master, Commander of the American Legion for 2 terms, a VFW member, a longtime member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, and volunteered wherever he was needed. He enjoyed bowling, gardening, baseball, camping, and bonfires with the family.

A viewing will be held Friday, March 15, 2013, 12-5 p.m. at Weller Funeral Home, 327 N. MacLeod Ave., Arlington, WA. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 16, 2013, 1 p.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 615 Highland Dr., Arlington, WA.

Memorial donations can be made to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or Our Saviour’s Lutheran Youth Ministry