John William Attridge

John William Attridge, age 83, of Olympia, Washington passed away on Friday, May 28, 2021. Bill was born June 16, 1937 in Kennewick, Washington to Jack and Mary Attridge.

Bill graduated High School in Kennewick WA, graduated college with honors from Washington State University, and graduated first in his class at University of Idaho College of Law. In 1969, Bill married the love of his life, Karen, and began his career as an attorney for the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. In 2011, Senior Counsel Bill Attridge received the Ralph Munro Longevity Award given to employees who have been in state service for at least 40 years. When Karen's cancer returned, Bill retired in 2013, to care for her until her passing on March 28, 2014.

"The [Attorney General Office] AGO doubled in size during Attorney General Slade Gorton’s tenure, largely as a result of new expectations for the role of government. As the state government established new departments or expanded the roles of existing departments, the AGO responded in kind. In 1978, the AGO became responsible for representing the Department of Social and Health Services in juvenile courts in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties on termination and dependency cases, leading to the development of regional staff offices throughout the state. In 1970, as part of the modern environmental movement, Attorney General Gorton created the Ecology Division.

The growth of the AGO in the second half of the twentieth century shows how shifting attitudes towards the government’s role in daily life influenced policymaking. As more Americans—and by extension, Washingtonians—expected the government to intervene on their behalf—in consumer protection, environmental protection, or a litany of other issues—the legislature and the AGO responded by increasing the size of the office to meet these demands. Many of the divisions created during this period reflect an evolving role for the AGO in which the Attorney General acts alongside state agencies that work to improve public welfare: Consumer Protection, ecology (Ecology; Fish, Wildlife, & Parks; and Natural Resources), Criminal Justice, Public Counsel, Agriculture and Health, Antitrust, and Social and Health Services are some examples." From the BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL https://www.atg.wa.gov/brief-history-office-attorney-general

During Bill's career he had the privilege and honor of assisting in the aforementioned evolvement; he helped shape the AGO into what it is today. Both his family and those he worked with remember him for his humble heart and endearing sense of humor. Bill believed a daily a laugh or two was good for morale and the heart. He loved easily and was entertained with joy to meet and talk to everyone in his path. In fact, Bill was so relatable he was the only male invited to the secretaries luncheons for years.

It's true he gave a lot in his long career but he gave the best to his belated wife, daughter, and grandchildren that he shared his whole life and heart with. He loved watching movies at home with family and according to his Fitbit, walked thousands of miles over the course of the last 15 years. Bill knew two of the most important things one could do for their family is to give them stability and love through every situation - which he wholeheartedly did without failure. Bill will always be remembered for his laugh and smile. His family is at peace knowing Bill is at rest with his bride, Karen, in the arms of our Lord.

Bill is survived by daughter Kim (Mike) Dilworth of Oregon; sister-in-law Pamela Thiel of Alaska; brother-in-law Bud Clarkgranddaughter Hannah Dilworth and granddaughter Sarah Dilworth; and his well loved nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Karen L. Attridge; father Jack Attridge and mother Mary Attridge; sister Mary Clark.

It would bless the family if you made a charitable donation in Bill's name to Compassion-Ministries.org