William Joe Robinson

A Northwest giant passed away on Monday, September 7. His name was William “Bill” Robinson.

Born in Albany, Oregon, during World War II, Bill showed remarkable energy from a young age. He was digging earthworms to sell to bait shops by the time he was 7, and by the

time he was old enough to go into the bean fields he quickly became known as the “Champion Bean Picker” by other harvesters. His concentration and quick hands surpassed them all.

In high school his work in engineering amazed his teachers and his experiments reflected expertise far beyond his age.

He met and fell in love with Dorothy Sayle. They were married at age 17, something that might end catastrophically for others. But they remained married for the rest of his life.

Life can be tough for a young married couple, but together they showed such enterprise that they were able to buy, and build onto, their first home shortly after their marriage. Bill worked as a plumber/pipefitter, his step-father’s profession, and earned his journeyman’s status by the age of 20. Some of his fellow workers soon nicknamed him “Channel Locks Bill” because he could plumb a new house faster than anyone else. When the construction industry hit hard times, he worked in a drug store, sold baked goods from a truck, and together he and Dorothy soon became owners of an Orange Julius Restaurant.

In 1970, the two decided to move to Washington where the construction industry was booming. It didn’t take long for them to start their own plumbing construction business, based in Everett. Robinson Plumbing grew and grew through the years, reaching incredible heights. Counting their employees in other businesses they built and purchased they ultimately hired and trained more than 200 people, and owned more than 100 company trucks. Thousands of homes, multi-unit complexes, and small commercial buildings were plumbed by the company throughout western Washington and beyond. Robinson Properties soon branched into manufacturing, retail, fireplace development, sales and installations.

Domestic Engineering, a national magazine, featured a cover story recognizing Robinson Plumbing as the largest new construction plumbing company in the entire Pacific Northwest.

They owned two large commercial complexes in south Everett, Fuse & Faucet plumbing and electrical store at 601 S. Everett Mall Way, Temperatures Rising spa rentals, Perry’s Restaurant and even a fully equipped gym. Bill helped found and twice chaired Frontier Bank.

All work and no play can be pretty dull. So, Bill and Dorothy took up flying. They purchased a Bonanza and PC12 airplane, and became proficient instrument-rated pilots. Bill even ran an international non-profit flying club for several years.

They had owned several homes through the years, each bigger and better than the last. But when they wanted to build their dream home, Bill designed it and built it on the Puget Sound in Edmonds. The magnificent home features everything from an indoor pool and gym to a large deck overlooking the water, many large rooms, spiral staircases, etc. Bill’s handiness continuously added new appointments to the home, including unique copper handrails, an elevator he created himself, and self-fashioned chandeliers. It was featured in full by national magazines and the Seattle Times.

All was well with Bill and Dorothy. They were comfortable with their lifestyle. They contributed regularly to charities. Then, in 2020, Dorothy suddenly had a massive stroke. She was rushed to the hospital, where her ability to survive was questionable. When she was in the hospital, the doctors thought she was beyond hope and were going to give up, but Bill fought for her and never gave up. She lay unconscious for weeks. But her zest for life won out, and she did make it, although her ability to walk was impaired. From that point forward, Bill concentrated on her care. Day and night he was by her side. Still, his creativity never ended. Among other things, he developed a Hoyer-type lift for Dorothy which could place her into a bathtub, and lift her out.

Now, after 65 years of marriage, Bill is suddenly gone. And he is missed by hundreds of friends and relatives. Surviving him are Dorothy, their two children, Regina Lynn Robinson-Elmslie, her spouse Ken, and David, eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

May he find peace and rest in Paradise.