Willis James Raltz

Willis James "Jim" Raltz was born to Willis and Marianne Raltz on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1931 in Yakima, Washington. Jim was the oldest of five children; Kenneth and Lois who passed away as young children and surviving sisters Jeanne Taylor and Janet Boursaw.

Jim was raised and grew up working on the family apple and pear orchard in Selah, Washington. In high school he played centerfield on his high school baseball team and loved America's greatest pastime throughout his life. Jim graduated from Selah High School in 1949.

In 1951, Jim enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended Boot Camp in San Diego, CA and some of his duty stations included Meridian, Mississippi, Whidbey Island, Washington, Guam and Yokuska, Japan. Jim was a Korean War Veteran serving aboard the USS Boxer, CV-21, during the Korean War Conflict. He processed out of the Navy in 1954 through Treasure Island, San Francisco, California.

After the Navy, Jim attended an apprenticeship program which lead to his lifelong career as a Shipfitter. He worked for Todd Shipyard of Seattle, Washington for 35 years and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmith's, Forgers and Helpers, Lodge 104.

Jim married his childhood sweetheart Alicia May Brooks on July 22, 1955 on the hottest day recorded in Yakima to date. Their honeymoon was spent camping. They started their married life in a little apartment on the counterbalance of Queen Anne in Seattle, Washington. His son, Kenneth Eugene was born April 12, 1958. The young family moved to Fremont and settled into their first home just off Stone Way and 35th Street where his 2 daughters, Darrilyn Sue and Shirley LaRayne were born in 1962 and 1963 completing the Raltz family. In March, 1966 Jim moved his family to Shoreline, Washington where they would spend the next 38 years raising his children and welcoming his first granddaughter Rebekah Joy.

As Jim and Alicia retired, they began to take excursions to Hawaii, cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean, road trips across the United States to visit family, train rides to San Diego and Washington DC, and numerous visits to the coast. They always enjoyed their travels together.

In 2004, Jim and Alicia moved to Port Orchard to be closer to their daughters in later retirement life. When Jim wasn't traveling, he could be found mowing lawns, "weed wacking" or gardening at his or daughter's homes or watching sports on television - especially the Mariners baseball, and Husky or Seahawks football. Jim and Alicia continued their travels and adventures on the Kitsap Peninsula until Alicia passed away in May of 2010 after 54 years of marriage. Jim remained in their home in Port Orchard until the time of his passing.

It is with great sadness that Jim passed away on December 10, 2018 after a heroic fight with dementia. He peacefully passed away just as he wished, with his family spending his last days by his side and quietly while sleeping. He was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed.