Bill McCain

Bill was born in Seattle, Washington on May 8th, 1946 to Henry and Agnes McCain. The woods weren’t so far away from the city back then so from a young age, Bill spent time outdoors hunting and fishing with his grandpa and his Uncle Bill.

Bill married his high school girlfriend, Denise. They were married a short time and Bill fathered his first daughter, Jennifer. Bill attended Central Basin Junior College before going to WSU, where he played football. Bill received a Masters in Education from Eastern Washington University.

Bill loved the game of football. He started playing at Franklin High School (class of 1964) where he also threw the shot put in track and field. He played during college at WSU (Go Cougs!). He watched all the games he could much to the dismay of anyone who wanted to use the TV during football season.

Bill taught for 30 years, so many people will remember him as “Mr. McCain” or “Coach McCain.” His teaching career started in Monroe where he met his wife Cathy. He spent three years on a teacher exchange in Traralgon, Australia where his daughters Amanda and Laura were born. The majority of his career was spent teaching PE at Chugiak Elementary School in Alaska. Bill made a positive impact on the students he taught and coached. He was often running into former students, “Mr. McCain? You were my PE teacher.” Upon retirement he received many letters from past students.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and lived in Alaska for 39 years; most of that time in Wasilla. He kept the family’s freezer full of salmon, halibut and wild game. Living in Alaska afforded him the opportunity to hunt moose, deer, caribou, dall sheep, black and brown bear, ducks, and geese. He passed on his love for the outdoors to his daughters who often heard the phrase “you gotta be tough to be an Alaskan.”

Bill met Cathy for a blind date organized by his friend Bill Bacon’s girlfriend Sue and Cathy’s niece, Sue. Bill and Cathy were married in Washington in 1971. The story goes, Bill said, “Hey Cath, what are you doing Tuesday? Want to get married?” They were married by a Justice of the Peace under the powerlines in Bothell. For their honeymoon, they traveled down the Oregon Coast. Cannon Beach later became a favorite place to celebrate their anniversary, as long as it didn’t conflict with hunting season.

Bill was outgoing and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Friends were family to Bill and he would always offer to help out. There are many who considered Bill a best friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his wife, Cathy and their daughters, Amanda (Paul), and Laura (Taylor); his first wife, Denise and their daughter Jennifer (Lance); his grandchildren, Anna, Grace, Evie, and Miles; his sister Carolyn; and his brother Danny (Karen).

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 27th from 1-4pm at the Snohomish Senior Center, 506 4th St, Snohomish WA. Wear your Hawaiian shirt, camo, or Cougar gear in remembrance of Bill’s personal style. Huskies will be welcome too! In lieu of flowers, please donate in Bill’s name to Fred Hutch Cancer Center.

If you would like to share a memory or photo of Bill, please visit his memorial page at Kudoboard. https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/7Sdzneit/billmccain