William Alvin Banks aka Bill, was born March 20, 1948 in Seattle Washington at Doctors Hospital. He was raised in Seattle on Beacon Hill until his family moved to Redmond in 1964, where he remained. He was the first graduating class of Redmond High School in 1966. He then attended Seattle Community College where he graduated from in 1968 with a Mechanics certification.
Bill met his wife Carole Brokaw in 1966. They started dating in July of 1969 and married June 24, 1972. In 1971, Bill started working in his uncle's & father's business, J. & A. Auto Wrecking, located in Kirkland. Eventually they opened a 2nd location in Redmond, with a name change of Eastside Auto & Truck Parts, Dba Eastside Truck Parks, where he remained.
Bills passion throughout his life time was cars. You could ask him the name, make, model of any American made car and he could tell you exactly what kind it was. He was a mo-par man from the time he could drive and refused to buy or drive anything that was not American made. At a tender young age, he was building go-carts with cousins and racing down Seattle hills. He finally advanced by the age of 19 and was doing the quarter mile at Seattle International Race Ways. Many Friday nights were spent at SIR and by the time he had a family he was racing Friday, or Saturdays, then moving on to Bremerton race ways on Sunday with his car "The Junk Yard Dog". He continued racing until mid to late 40's. When Bill Wasn't working or racing or at sports with his boys, time was spent camping or boating or both with his family.
Family was most important to him, so when he & Carole built their home in 1988, one of the criteria's was to make it a family home for all and it was. Their home was a gathering place for all celebrations, large & small and in between. A home in which family gatherings could be for all and a peaceful and restful place for family, friends and all who entered.
Bill lived by his ethics, moral and honesty and he passed these traits onto his children. He believed if you lived by these characteristic, you will always be able to hold your head high, walk proud and never have anything to be ashamed of. Bill worked hard, played hard and most of all, he loved hard. He walked proud throughout his life and gave generously of himself. He believed what goes around comes around and there for made sure he never treated his fellow man unjustly. He showed strength and great courage in times of adversity, never gave up or in and had an uncompromising compassion for those in times of need.
Bill will forever be missed by those who so loved him.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carole Banks; his sons, Shane Banks, William Banks; step-daughter Susan Corp; daughter in laws, Amanda Banks, Patricia Banks; son-in-law, Shawn Corp; grandchildren, Logan, Peyton, Madelyn and Henry and his sisters, Linda Buckles and Roberta Croteau.
William Alvin Banks
March 20, 1948 - January 16, 2013
Memorial Service - "Celebration of Life"
Saturday February 9th 2013 @ 12:00pm
Happy Valley Grange #322
19720 NE 50th St.
Redmond, WA 98053
In Lieu of Flowers:
Donations to:
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18