William Abel Vance

Bill Vance was born in Seattle on November 13, 1933 to Lloyd and Ruth Vance. Bill graduated from Lakeside School in Seattle in 1951 and then moved to Massachusetts to attend Amherst College. He became a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity in his college years, and kept in contact with many of his classmates and Fraternity brothers throughout the following 7 decades.

After graduating from Amherst, Bill went through Officer Candidate School and served in the US Navy as a cryptographer, serving most of his time at Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC. It was during this time that Bill met his future wife, Ruth Paterson, an executive secretary, who lived across the street from Bill and his fellow naval officer roommates.

Following Bill and Ruth’s wedding in New York City in January 1959 they moved to Seattle and began their life together. Bill’s first job was with The Vance Corporation, a family owned commercial real estate development and management business started by Bill’s grandfather in 1911. Working for the family turned out to be not such a good fit, and within 5 years Bill left to control his own destiny. He began investing in real estate and managing properties. In addition, he became an MAI (Member Appraisal Institute) and joined the commercial real estate appraisal firm of Shorett & Riely, spending 30 years there as a partner.

In addition to his active duty, Bill spent 30 years in the Naval Reserve, working one weekend a month at the old Naval Reserve Center on the south end of Lake Union, as well as flying to various locations around the country. As little kids we always thought Dad was off on a mission of some sort. Bill retired from the Naval Reserve a Captain, and was always very proud of his service.

Ensuring his children grew up instilled with morals and character, Bill spent much of his free time with his kids, but also allowed us the room to make our own mistakes. He spent countless hours coaching soccer and basketball teams that his sons played on, joining us in Indian Guides, Cub Scouts, occasionally Campfire Girls, and of course the annual Father/Daughter dance. He would also take us fishing or hiking or on road trips to various places around Washington and the west coast. Bill’s favorite activities for himself were playing soccer with his “over 40” team, poker night with his friends on Mercer Island, Tuesday lunch and bridge game at the U-Club, golfing with his friends, and his annual fishing trips to the Queen Charlottes with his half-brother Dick.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, and his granddaughter Alexa. He is survived by his daughter, Lea Leuckel (Dave), his sons Neal and Charlie (Lisa), and his grandchildren Christopher, Connor, Andrew, Billy, and Chloe.