WILLIAM ROBERT MARCHAND

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WILLIAM ROBERT MARCHAND 1944 - 2016 It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of William Robert Marchand (aka Billy Bob). He leaves a broken hearted family, his wife Barbara, his children Laurel (Jim), Billy (Mary), Kerri (Paul), and Jamie (Tracy). He was a devoted and loving Grandpa to Abby, Jimmy, Silas, Jack and Nicholas. He is also survived by his sisters Kandy (Chuck) and Cindy (John). Bill was a huge personality and one of a kind. He loved people and made many friends, sometimes a new best friend in a store lineup. He was a story teller and often they were somewhat embellished. Bill graduated from Seattle University with a business degree and although he was drafted to play for the Philadelphia Phillies, he decided to join his father's photography business where he eventually became official photographer for the Seahawks and Super Sonics. He then created Marchand and Associates Scholastic Marketing. Bill loved working, especially with young people who inspired him and firmly believed in a business practice he called Face Mail. Young people gravitated to Bill and he was often a mentor to them. Bill then retired and moved to Winnipeg where he renewed his love of photography. He loved to travel and had many fond memories of Asia, Europe, Maui and camping in Lake of the Woods. One of his last joys was seeing his granddaughter Abby go off to college, filming a football game in Everett in the stadium he had played in, then his son Billy and now grandson Jimmy, as well the last couple of camping trips with his Winnipeg kids and grandkids. Bill led a full life and as the song says I Did It My Way' and will be sorely missed by all who loved him. Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of life will be held in Seattle.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2016