William Albert Bayer

William (Bill) Bayer, loving husband,
father, grandfather, great-grandfather,
uncle and friend, died peacefully in his sleep with his
loving wife Colleen at his side on Aug. 21, 2013, at the
age of 70 years old after a brief and valiant fight with
cancer.

Bill was the first son born to Albert and Ailsie (Williams)
Bayer in Walla Walla. He attended school at
St. Patrick’s Elementary School and graduated from
DeSales High School in 1961. He attended Yakima
Valley Junior College. He was hired by Walla Walla
Glass Company, attended Glazier classes, where he
received training to become a journeyman Glazier,
this would be his profession for over 40 years. He
worked for Walla Walla Glass until the company
closed. He later worked for Yale Glass, until his retirement.
Bill was never seen without a glass cutter
in his shirt pocket, and was known in the area as one
of the best Glaziers.

Bill was a man of very quiet and sincere spirituality.
The peace and closeness he felt to God was experienced
most by him when he was outdoors and in
particular the mountains. He taught his children
and grandsons not to be afraid to look for God’s evidence
outside the walls of the church: in the beautiful
mountains, alongside wildlife and the solar system.
This sense of peace inspired him in early 1980 to design
and build a magnificent cabin, deep in the Blue
Mountains. He built this cabin with his own hands,
along with the help of loving friends (Jimmy Angell
and George Smith) and made this incredible idea a
reality. This cabin is where he enjoyed God’s beauty
and shared it with four generations of his family and
his dearly loved friends; and is where he felt truly serene.

Bill married Karen (Klundt) Taylor in 1962, later divorced,
and the two remained life-long friends.

On Aug. 28, 2004, Bill married Colleen Kay Ross in
the back yard of their home at Stateline. This event
was celebrated in the company of their mothers,
brothers, sisters, all their children and grandchildren
and many loving friends. Bill and Colleen enjoyed
their family, spending all holidays with them, traveling
to the cabin and many trips to Wallowa Lake.

Bill had a brilliant mind and sense of adventure.
He always had a project going and it was amazing
to witness the creation of these projects: In his lifetime
he built/restored a Hillman Car, a hydroplane,
a hang glider, a 1969 ford bronco (which he modified
and floated down the Snake River), several model
airplanes and had almost completely restored a 1962
Nova at the time of his death. Bill will be remembered
most for his kindness and sense of humor. He was a
man who never held a grudge. He was always a very
thoughtful person. Whether you were in Bill’s home,
cabin, or hospital room, he wanted to make sure you
were comfortable and that everyone had a chair and a
cool drink. If he thought any of us were working too
hard, he could be heard saying, “sit down, let’s take
a break and think about this.” If we could not figure
out whatever problem we were attempting to solve;
he said one of two things: “it doesn’t matter honey”
or his favorite, “it’s no biggie.” He had the knowledge
and sense to always put us at ease.

Bill is survived by his wife, Colleen Bayer; brother,
George Bayer of Elk, Wash.; sisters, Patricia (Glen)
Hansen of Roseburg, Ore., and Mary (Richard) Sundberg,
of Walla Walla; his daughter, Kelly Thompson
(Ryan) of Richland; his son, Doug (Annette) Bayer of
Walla Walla; two grandsons, Tyler (Lacey) Thompson
of Benton City and Trevor Thompson of Richland;
two great-grandsons, Logan and Landon Thompson,
Benton City; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother; father;
and sister, Virginia.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Wednesday,
Aug. 28, 2013, from 11 a.m. until after the rosary
at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder,
Walla Walla. The rosary will be recited on Wednesday,
Aug. 28, 2013, at 7 p.m., also at the funeral home
with Sister Helen Mason officiating. The funeral
mass will be celebrated Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at
10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father
Pedro Bautista-Peraza as celebrant.
A graveside service will follow at Mountain View
Cemetery. A meal will follow at St. Patrick’s Parish
Hall, and all are welcome to attend. Memorial contributions
may be made to Walla Walla Hospice or Walla
Walla Catholic Schools through the Herring Groseclose
Funeral Home. Family and Friends are invited
to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.
com.

The family wishes to offer a very special
thank you to Hospice, and in particular, Josh, Tim
and Sherrie. Your love and kindness will never be
forgotten and is very much appreciated by us.