William Paul Sands

Bill was born on Sept. 5, 1963 to Roger and Virginia Sands in Longview and passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 26, 2005 in Lakewood. He was a 1981 graduate of Peninsula High School and spent two and a half years at Grinnell College and the University of Washington. He married Jean Rindahl on Dec. 10, 1988 and was married almost 17 years.

Bill was a 28-year resident of the Gig Harbor area and recently spent time in Moses Lake and Bend, Ore. He was always very optimistic and had a great sense of humor. He liked fishing, golfing, camping, going to the ocean, taking "mini-vacations" and listened to Bob Marley. The most important thing to Bill was his family. He always brought a great presence with him as he was well respected by all that knew him. "Everything Builds Character" were words he lived by.

Family members include his wife, Jean, of Bend, Ore.; children Jen Roberts (Bryan) of Gig Harbor, Justin Shafer of Yelm, Paul Sands of Bend, Ore.; mother Virginia Sands of Bend, Ore.; sisters Mary Campbell (David) of Bend, Ore., Nancy Sands of Evanston, Ill., Margaret Amara (Mark) of Moses Lake, Barbara Sands (Randy Heaton) of Magnolia, Texas; in-laws James and Margaret Rindahl of Gig Harbor; brother-in-law Peter Rindahl of Issaquah; grandchildren Victoria, Lillian and Matthew Roberts; nieces Jennifer Sandoz (Scott Wolas), Kelsey Amara and nephew Christopher Campbell. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Roger Sands.

Memorial Services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Haven of Rest in Gig Harbor. Remembrances may be made to your local library.