William "Bill" E. Koval

William “Bill” E. Koval, a Renton resident, passed away surrounded by his family on August 4, 2014 at the age of 86. He was born on January 2, 1928 in Benoit, Wisconsin to parents George and Sophie Koval. Bill was one of fifteen children. His early life was spent on the family dairy farm until he joined the U. S. Army at the age 18. Bill was trained in communications in Louisiana and New Jersey before being sent to Seattle. It was in Seattle that he met his future wife Vada Edwards. She followed him to Fairbanks, Alaska where they were married in 1948. Upon leaving the military Bill, Vada and family moved to Kansas where Bill worked on the railroad as a gandy dancer. In 1954 the family relocated to Seattle where they have since remained. Bill made a career as television technician retiring in 1984. Bill and Vada spent the next fifteen years traveling the country after which they settled in Mineral, Washington. In 2008 Bill suffered a neck injury that left him paralyzed. He spent the remaining six years of his life in Renton surround by family. Bill was an avid hiker and mountain climber, summiting every major peak in Washington except Mt. Rainer. He will be laid to rest in Tahoma National Cemetery. Bill Koval is survived by his loving wife of almost 66 years, Vada Koval, daughters Dauna, Sharon, Renee, Valerie, Cynthia, and Juanita; 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and four son-in-laws.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish, 314 S. 4th St., Renton, WA 980057

There will be a funeral mass on Wednesday, August 13th at 11am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish in Renton, WA followed by committal at the Tahoma National Cemetery. All are welcome to attend.

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