William Henry Dills

Known to his friends as Breeze, died peacefully in his sleep on September 12, 2024.

Born in Seattle on April 1, 1943, to William Dills of Yakima Star Clothing Co and Nan Burckhardt Cobbs, whose father Charles Burckhardt, owner of Lake Washington Shipyards built the famous streamlined ferry Kalakala that operated on the Puget Sound from 1935 to 1967.

He graduated from Portland’s Lincoln High School in 1961 and went on to study at Fairleigh Dickenson-N.J. and the University of Oregon.

Breeze was an architect, designer, builder, voracious reader and armchair philosopher with an enthusiasm for living, politics, boating and his beloved Seahawks.

With deep family roots in Portland and Seattle, he followed in the footsteps of his maternal great grandfather, Warren Williams, the architect of historic buildings from Victoria BC (Craigdarroch Castle) to Portland (The Old Church and Merchant’s Hotel).

Breeze designed and built custom homes, multi-family and commercial buildings in Eugene, Corvalis, Springfield, Oregon; Enumclaw, Redmond, Bellevue, and Seattle, including Queen Anne, Magnolia, Capital Hill and Ballard.

Throughout life he experienced great wins and great losses, the likes of which few people will ever know. He had escaped death on so many occasions it was family lore to say he had "nine lives."

To the end he kept his wit, humor, and love for life, friends, and family. He passed away peacefully in his sleep after watching the live presidential debate. He sent one last email outlining the restored hope he had for the future of our country and his conviction that Kamala Harris would soon be president.

He is survived by his son, Peter (Jennifer) Dills; daughter, Emily Dills McLeod; stepdaughter, Olivia Erickson; former wife Margo (Jodi) Dills; grandchildren, Mila, Coco and Luca; sister Jayne Davis, and extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to your preferred charity.