William G. Kouldukis

Bill’s parents were born and raised in Amfissa, Greece and immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s in search of opportunities along with so many others at that time. They settled in Seattle where Bill was born on the 26th of June, 1930. After attending Lincoln high school, Bill attended the University of Washington majoring in Accounting. While at the University, he found full time employment and joined the Army National Guard. Bill served his country for twenty-five years as an enlisted infantryman. He thoroughly enjoyed the rigor of military life “in the trenches” and always looked forward to his summer military service. He retired as a Master Sargent (E-8) having earned one of the highest military ranks as a non-commissioned officer. Marrying Betty Tountas on the 15th of January, 1956, he and his new bride settled down to raise a family and to enjoy their life together.

After marriage, Bill found his niche in the wine and beer industry. It began with work as a salesman with Sunset Distributors where he was employed for eight years. At that time, Sunset Distributors sold a wine called Pommerelle, a jug wine that was produced by a company called NAWICO (The National Wine Company). In the late 1960’s NAWICO became the Ste. Michelle Winery producing wines from grapes grown in Eastern Washington. In 1969 Bill went to work for Ste. Michelle as a sales representative and remained in employment with them for twenty-six years until 1995, the year he retired. Taking employment with the winery, at that time, was a risk as the company was small and in decline. With the transformation of the winery with the Ste. Michelle label, and the purchase of the company by Wally Opdycke, a businessman who specialized in turning around declining businesses, Bill saw opportunity for growth and took a “responsible risk” in taking employment with the newly transformed company. He was part of the team that helped grow the winery; he experienced the Woodinville Chateau being built and saw the winery grow into a multi-label industry. He loved his work, had excellent people skills, was very beloved by those whom he worked with and by his clients and excelled in the area of sales. A yearly sales award is offered in his name. He was truly the image of what Ste. Michelle is all about.

In addition to his military service and employment with the winery, his Orthodox Christian faith was also very important to him. As a young man, he served our Lord in the choir ministry at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. He married Betty Tountas at St. Demetrios and raised his family there. Both Bill and Betty spent many years together singing in the choirs of both St. Demetrios and the Assumption. While attending St. Demetrios, he served on the Parish council for many years and was President of the Parish Council for one term. He was a yearly Greek Festival participant, taught the High School Sunday School class for many years and was available to help wherever the parish needed him. Bill, with his wife Betty, were also one of the founding families of Holy Apostles and were active there. Bill believed that an all English liturgy was important for the spiritual growth of our youth and for the future of the Church in the United States. Since this was the basis for the founding of the Holy Apostles parish in Shoreline, when the opportunity presented itself, Bill and Betty embarked on a journey, with many others, to establish a new parish unto the glory of God. When his son, Fr. Dean, and his family were transferred to Seattle to serve the parish of the Assumption, Bill and Betty decided to begin attending the Capital Hill parish in order to, as he said, see his grandchildren. He had the blessing of sharing in the ministry of the Assumption Church Choir with his grandchildren; Christopher, Constantine and Elissa and Presvytera Valerie, his daughter-in-law. Bill and Betty have been faithfully attending the Assumption for the last thirteen years, have expressed a love for their parish family and continue to be faithful supporters of the Assumption parish.

Finally, Bill was a great father to his two boys; Fr. Dean and George. The many fishing trips to Lake Marcell where he taught us how to bait a fishing hook and the many hours spent with dad fishing, the many joyful memories of being thrown in the air and wrestling with dad while swimming in the pool during family vacations in Eastern Washington and the family trip to Greece in 1978 where dad taught us the importance of our rich Greek heritage. These are all great memories, which we will always cherish. In addition dad showed us the importance of a strong work ethic, of not being afraid to take risks and to always have faith and trust in God. In his younger years he was a strong person physically and at the same time very compassionate and loving. In the end, his faith in God, strength and compassion will be the legacy by which he will be remembered.

At the request of the family, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Beautification Fund. These funds will be used to remodel the interior of the Church and can be mailed to the following address: 1804 13th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122.

May Bill’s memory be eternal!

All are welcome to sign the online guestbook below and add any messages or stories for the Koulddukis family.