William "Bill" Joseph Conrad

William “Bill” Joseph Conrad was born the eldest of six children to James F. Conrad and Arlene Claburn in Canton, Mississippi on December 30, 1944. He passed away at home, on October 24, 2021 with his wife and children by his side, after a courageous battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) - a form of blood cancer.

Spending most of his youth in Arab, Alabama surrounded by extended family, Bill had many fond memories of his upbringing in the rural south. Many of his writings and memoirs later in life were based in the heart of his childhood community.

Bill attended Grassy Elementary and Grassy Junior High in Arab, AL and later graduated from S.R. Butler High School in Huntsville, AL.

A patriot through and through, Bill enlisted to fight during the Vietnam War and was assigned to a Special Military Unit of the U.S. Navy - the VO-67 or ‘Ghost Squadron,’ stationed in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. Despite the trials of war and losing many friends along the way, he had a great love for this country and reverence for his time overseas. For his service, Bill received several honors, including the Air Medal, and will soon be recognized on the Enlisted Combat Aircrew Roll of Honor, in early 2022.

Bill met Sheila Stiles in the spring of 1964. After his return from Vietnam and completion of his active-duty service, they were married on August 15, 1970 at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in Huntsville, Alabama. They were married for 51 years. Bill and Sheila started their lives together in Alabama. After Bill graduated from Athens State College in Athens, AL, they relocated to Marysville, Washington in 1976 as Bill began his 36-year career with Boeing, retiring in 2012. The family spent a great deal of time together when their children were young, in particular; cross-country road trips, camping, day adventures, and supporting one another at special events. His love of family was a theme throughout his life. In addition to spending time with his family, Bill enjoyed taking long drives and listening to good music, reading great literary works, writing short stories, sitting on his deck in the backyard of their Marysville home, and tinkering in his garden.

Bill had a life-long love of learning, and he and Sheila were great examples to their children of the importance of seeking higher education, as they had done. Bill had great pride when all four of his children earned their master’s degrees in various subjects - thus, holding education in the same high esteem.

For each of his children, advice from Dad meant the world - he was everyone’s go-to. He remained a constant rock in the lives of his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and others who knew and loved him.

Bill was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had a fervent testimony of God’s love, and His teachings. He was also so grateful to the members who have taken the time to check in on him and offered rides to and from appointments.

Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, his children; Eric (Kami) Conrad of Rexburg, ID, Ryan (Becky) Conrad of Rigby, ID, Jared (Mindy) Conrad of Marysville, WA and Sonia (Michael) Bean of Grantsville, UT; 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; his father-in-law, Robert G. Stiles and step-mother-in-law, Elizabeth Stiles of Marysville, WA; siblings; Brenda (Ray) Saldana of San Antonio, TX, Fred Conrad of Fairhope, AL; John (Carol) Conrad of Mobile, AL; Clint (Yong Chu) Conrad of Huntsville, AL; a sister-in-law, Mary Stiles of Arlington, WA; and many more family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James F. Conrad and Arlene Claburn; a brother, James E. Conrad; mother-in-law, Esther O. Stiles; brother-in-law, Robert L. Stiles; a daughter-in-law, Diane M. Conrad; a nephew, Steven Saldana; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

God be with you ‘till we meet again, Daddy.

Service Information:

Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021

Time: Viewing from 9:00 - 10:45 am

Service will begin at 11:00 am

Location:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

9215 51st Ave NW

Marysville, WA 98270

Internment: Graveside with military honors will be held on Friday, November 12, 2021 at 11:30 am at the Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park in Bluffdale, UT.

Our family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff with the Everett Clinic and Cancer Institute, who tried fervently to prolong his life; as well as the many individuals who served them along the way.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SchaeferShipmanFuneral.com for the Conrad family.