William Theodore Mancinelli

William "Bill" Mancinelli passed away peacefully at home with family and friends

by his side. Bill fought end stage cancer for many months. During that time, his

wife and children ensured he was well cared for and tried to keep him

entertained by bantering back and forth. They dealt with the inevitable by

sharing humor, fun stories and occasionally, tears.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Mancinelli, Naches, WA; his son Chris Mancinelli

(Toni), Naches, WA, grandchildren Rachel and Andrew and 2 great-children; his

daughter Lisa Zvolanek (Ken) of Olympia, WA, grandson Wes; siblings: Karen

Johnson, Paul Johnson and Gary Johnson; as well as numerous nieces,

nephews, cousins, etc. Bill was preceded in death by both parents: Gualtiero

"Theodore" Mancinelli and Ethel (Eastwood) Johnson and six siblings: Bill, Mike,

Jim, David, Mark and Frank.

Born June 13, 1940 to Theodore and Ethel Mancinelli in Seattle WA. In the late

1940's, they moved onto Chinook Pass in Naches, where they purchased the

Pine Cone Inn from Ethels' parents. After Theodore and Ethel divorced, she

married Frank Johnson. Their growing family helped run the Inn which

consisted of a restaurant, gas station, laundry mat and grocery store.

Prior to Bill graduating from Naches High School, he went to the Washington

School for the Blind in Vancouver where he met his future wife, Jo Ann

Nicholson. In 1962 Bill and Jo Ann married, making their home in Seattle where

they began their family. Bill worked for the Lighthouse for the Blind as a

Machinist for 12 years. He was then given an opportunity to become a Food

Service Business Owner through the Department of Services for the Blind. After

Bill and Jo Ann divorced, he began running his first cafeteria (Bill's Snack Bar) at

the County City Building in Tacoma. There he met his second wife Vicki Engel. In

1975 Bill and Vicki were married and moved to Olympia. Together they ran their

cafeteria in various State buildings. He and his wife then bought 5 acres, and in

their "spare time", they raised cows, chickens and grew various fruits and

vegetables.

Bill enjoyed working on their farm, spending time with his family, camping,

fishing, bowling, dancing, fixing things around the house, talking on his ham

radio and sometimes, just sitting outside, soaking up the warmth of the sun.

Bill was always looking for a job or project to work on. If someone needed help,

he was happy to help out. He was always willing share his vast knowledge of

everything with anyone that wanted to listen and learn the "right" way to fix

things (which might often include duck tape and bailing wire).

After Bill and Vicki retired, they sold their farm and moved onto Chinook Pass

where he owned plots of land where he grew up. Soon, they began spending

their winters in Yuma, AZ. They both loved the warmth, the sunshine and the

friends they made during their 35 years of being Snow Birds.

For Bills’ 75th birthday, his family surprised him by getting his 1926 Hupmobile

running again. It had been over 50 years since his truck last ran. It was on the

top of his bucket list, to be able to ride, at least one more time, in his truck

before he dies. And that he did! He spent numerous hours over the years, riding

in the passenger seat, traveling up and down the forest roads that he knew so

well as a child, but this time, being able to share the experience with his own

children.

Even though we mourn his loss, we also rejoice in the fact that he is no longer in

pain. He is now having a huge reunion with his family that has passed on before

him. He can now see again and can walk and dance (or frolic if he chooses) pain

free! He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, but his memory will live

on in the things that we do, our memories of the past and the stories we will tell

in the future.

A Celebration of Life (Pot-Luck) will be held at:

Jim Sprick Community Park

13680 Hwy 410, Naches

June 7th, 2025 at 12pm