Billiam Riley Tobey is how Alice always addressed birthday cards to Uncle Bill.  The outside of the card would either have his age written all over it or the words OLD.  They teased each back and forth every year with funny birthday cards for 55 years.  We could always count on him for old family history and stories.  They were accurate and unchanging.  Even though he was blind and his world was dark he stayed cheerful when we would talk to him.  We visited him in Bothell whenever we could, always stopped the bottom of the hill to buy him a hamburger and a vanilla milk shake.  After our visit we would give hugs.  Alice asked if he remembered when she was tall  and skinny,  and he would answer "yes".  She said good, keep that memory alive!  Uncle Bill, we miss you.

Uncle Bill was an inspiration by the way he faced his loss of sight. I guess it is a bit ironic that one of the first things that pops into my mind were his eyes. He is the first person I remember knowing who had smiling eyes that sparkled. 
Another memory that stands out is the cool dining room table that the family had in Burien. The chairs could swirl around and I had no idea how to sit still at dinner. So two things I remember. I ducked every time an airplane flew overhead,because it sounded like it was going to fly right into the living room and out onto the deck and Uncle Bill with his sparkling eyes saying: "Peggy!"

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William Riley Tobey

June 19, 1930 – July 27, 2022

Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home

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