Bill Ray Fagan, age 75, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at the St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington.
He was born on March 14, 1933 in Laurel, Mississippi to Dave Bennett and Eloise Fagan.
Bill was adopted by his uncle and aunt Leverett and Sally Fagan and he attended school in Picuyne, Mississippi.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy in June of 1950 serving in Korea and he was discharged in March of 1955.
He was married to Betty Gilbert on July 20, 1991 in Sedro-Woolley and they made their home in Burlington and Mount Vernon until moving to Lacey, WA four years ago.
Bill worked as a heavy equipment operator for the Department of Natural Resources in Forks, Shelton and Olympia for many years until his retirement in 1992.
He enjoyed playing pool and telling jokes. He was a member of the Sedro-Woolley American Legion for 33 years and the International Order of Foresters for 17 years.
Bill is survived by his wife, Betty Fagan of Lacey, WA. 2 daughters, Debi Feeser of McCleary, WA and Sally Fagan of Spokane, WA. 4 step-sons, Mike Gilbert of Sedro-Woolley, Randy Gilbert of Burlington, Curtis Gilbert of Bellingham, Bob Gilbert and his wife Penny of Everett and a step-daughter, Sandra Hanby and her husband Ted of Lacey. 9 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. A brother, David Bennett of Bay Saint Louis, MS; a sister, Janis Greenwell of Pascagoula, MS and good friends, Chuck and Marilyn Van Delinder of Sedro-Woolley. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 sons, Ken and Frankie Fagan.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 11:00AM at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Ron Edwards of the Hamilton Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Military Honors performed by members from the U.S. Navy Whidbey Island NAS.