William Waltz

It is with deep sorrow we announce the death of William Lee Waltz III on December 26, 2022 in the Palliative Care Unit of St. Paul’s Hospital. Bill died peacefully with Melinda holding his hand after his very short bout with cancer.

Bill was born June 3, 1940 to William Jr. and Frances (nee Hammond) Waltz in Berkeley, CA but soon moved back to their Seattle, WA home. He spent nearly all of childhood there with a strong love of the Pacific beaches. After the family moved to Ohio, Bill chose to attend Miami University (OH). A good move! Within two weeks, he met Melinda Cumming. A great friendship turned to an almost sixty year love. They married August 24, 1963 and headed to Illinois where Bill did graduate studies at Northwestern University on a full NASA scholarship. His son Bill IV was born there in 1965. In 1967, after he received his PhD, the family moved to Los Angeles where he post-doc’d at U.S.C. Barbara arrived in 1968 and soon after it was off to St. Paul to work at Central Research 3M. In his heart, Bill really wanted to teach. He did work in radiation research and was also a photochemist. Bill taught chemistry at the U of S for 38 years; he was department head for six years. During this time he was also an invited researcher at the Hahn-Meitner Institute in Berlin each summer for 18 years.

Bill retired in 2007. He has had numerous health problems in recent years which prevented him from some hobbies and train travel to the coast (he was not crazy about planes). In early 2020, he survived cancer and has had major diabetic problems. Unfortunately, this December the cancer returned with a vengeance and God took him home.

Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Frances Waltz, his brother Jack Waltz, In-laws James and Alice Cumming, brothers-in-law James and Chad Cumming and grand-daughter Ashley Waltz.

He is survived by his loving wife Melinda, son William IV (Melissa) Waltz, and daughter Barbara Waltz Hurley (Sean); 3 grandchildren: Mikaila Waltz Dagley, Liam and Aine Hurley; and 2 great-grandsons: Wyatt and Owen Dagley.

Bill was a great son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bill loved God, family, pets and cigars! He lived with faith, hope and love. Bill was an honest and fair man who always stood by his beliefs. He could be very stubborn but was caring and a good friend. He will be terribly missed.

At his request, there will be no service. Cremation is taking place and his ashes will, at some time, be returned to his beloved Northwest and the beaches of Seaview WA.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful people who cared for Bill before and during his hospital stay (especially Dr. Paula Schwann) and all the people who have helped so much and have taken care of the family. Palliative Care was such a wonderful place for Bill to die in peace, surrounded by love.

If so desired, memorial donations may be made to the SPCA, St. Paul’s Palliative Care Unit or another cause of your choice.