Timothy James Bilbao "Grampa Timmy"

Timothy James Bilbao, "Grampa Timmy" of Mineral, Washington/Salome, Arizona was welcomed to Heaven on Friday, August 30th, 2024 at 4:27pm, at the age of 67. Tim was born February 20th, 1957 along with twin sister Tammy (Bilbao) Zitzer to parents Carlos and Nancy Bilbao at Camp Pendleton, California. He graduated from High School at Kent Meridian in Kent, Washington. Tim loved sports, primarily Football and Wrestling where he excelled at both, receiving awards and setting records both for the High School and at the State Level. After High School Tim went to Montana to work at a family Ranch, before returning back to Washington, where he would soon meet the love of his life, Salina Sampson. Tim and Salina first met at a party, where Salina’s best friend Vicky, introduced her to her then fiance Jim, who then introduced her to Tim. Tim and Salina met again at Jim and Vicky’s wedding a couple weeks later, where Tim asked Salina out on a date. Tim showed up to Salina’s home in his baby blue volkswagon beetle, running over her flower bed and providing her with a cozy milk crate for a passenger seat. It was an instant connection. Tim and Salina continued dating, and later marrying on March 24th,1984. Tim and Salina had two children, their daughter Stacy (Bilbao) May and son, Steven Bilbao. Tim’s world revolved around his family. He worked hard to provide for his family and when he wasn't working hard, he played hard. Camping was a favorite past time, as well as riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, and road trips. Tim retired from the Boeing company after 20+ years as a Machinist, and in retirement He enjoyed traveling, riding his ranger around the property with his trusty side kick Marston, tinkering in his shop and shooting guns with his son-in-law Sean, and spending as much time with his family as possible.

This past fall, Tim and Salina traveled to Salome, Arizona to be closer to his in-laws, Tom & Betty Kissner and Tim fell in love with the warmth of the desert. This lead them to find the perfect home just down the road from his family, with big dreams to snowbird, to leave the cold harsh winters of the little Mountain town they loved, and stay warm and dry in the desert of Arizona, then fleeing North when the Desert sun got a little too hot in the summer. Tim couldn’t wait to bring his ranger down and explore the many riding trails in the area with his family. One of Tim’s biggest pride and joy’s, was his grandkids; Siara, Silas and Sawyer. He enjoyed watching them play their sports, camping and road trips were spent together, he enjoyed playing video games with them and of course Grampa Timmy loved to tease them in his own special way - and as the grandkids got older, they loved to tease him back, which brought Tim great joy and laughter. Anytime spent with his grandkids filled his heart, and he was so excited to spend this past summer together as Stacy, Siara, Silas and Sawyer traveled down to Arizona to spend time with the family while Tim completed his prostate cancer treatment. They surprised Tim (and Salina) with a surprise visit from their son, Steven, who flew in from Colorado. It had been 2 years since they had seen Steven, and just missing Sean, almost the whole family was together again. Although Tim started not feeling well as summer progressed, his heart was full being surrounded by all his “babies” as he affectionately called them. This summer and the time spent together is one of the biggest blessings, to be cherished forever. Although receiving the all clear from his prostate (and any other cancer) at the end of May, Tim was diagnosed with a very aggressive stomach cancer that spread throughout his whole body and in less than two weeks, heaven gained an angel.

Tim is preceded in death by his father Carlos Bilbao. He is survived by his mother, Nancy (Chapin) Bilbao, sister Tammy (Ron) Zitzer, Wife, Salina Bilbao, children Stacy (Sean) May and Steven Bilbao, grandkids, Siara, Silas and Sawyer May, and many family and friends who he loved so dearly.

Tim’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation for the care and compassion they received during this difficult time.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Mineral, Washington in the Summer of 2025, details will be available closer to the date.