William John Monk

Bill was an avid listener of nature – trying to find the perch of a singing robin and to spot where the largest king salmon was resting on the Skagit River. He gained his passion for life from his wife Marie, being in nature, gardening and family gatherings.

Born on April 29, 1921 to William John Sr. and Clara (Giesen) Monk. His father just returned from WWI, and soon he was the older brother to Evelyn and Lorraine. While loving the outdoors, he thrived in mathematics – which set his course in life. After graduating from Granite Falls HS in 1939, he continued hiking, hunting, and fishing. Bill met Marie in 1942 and after a short courtship, they were married on October 16, 1942. After volunteering for the Army, he was sent to the University of Maryland due to his high aptitude for math; he studied civil engineering for 3 years. His military status changed to a casualty replacement in 1943 and was shipped to Germany, before landing; he received a wire that announced the birth of his daughter, Carol.

After the war, he and Marie celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Kathryn. Bill began his career in land development in Snohomish County. He took an early retirement and travelled the world with Marie. He continued his love of fishing, grafting fruit trees, tending bees, and gardening. He maintained childhood friendships with Dave Jarstad and Jack Johnson, and his relationship with Marie, who passed in 1998, after 56 years of marriage.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Carol and Kathy. Granchildren: Connie (Brian), Christy (Kyle), Alex (Anne) and Nicholas. Great Grandchildren: Hayley, Emily, Aidan, Shea, Jeremy and Amelie.