William (Bill) H. Utsunomiya

William (Bill) H. Utsunomiya, was born in 1921 in Silesia, Mont., the third child of Noboru Utsunomiya and Tomoye Tano, and passed away on June 2, at age 85 at his home in Moses Lake.

In 1950, following his father's death, he sold the family's Montana farm and moved his family to Moses Lake, lured by the area's agricultural promise. He found here everything he loved, especially good friends.

Though born to farming, he later worked in radio, announcing the farm news and selling advertising for KSEM Radio, then operated the Third Avenue Bowl for about five years, but eventually settled into insurance sales, working as an underwriter for New York Life Insurance Company for 30 years. After retiring, he took up jewelry repair and worked with his wife at Frederick's Jewelry.

His great love in life was laughing and making others laugh. For decades he and his guitar, his jokes and songs were a constant at gatherings with friends and family. A natural athlete, he played ice hockey, bowled, water-skied, snow-skied and golfed, always with friends and family.

Bill is survived by Marty, his wife of 35 years, his daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Lee Blackwell, daughter Laurie Criscuolo, grandchildren Stephen, Jason and Marisa Brown, daughter-in-law Carol Utsunomiya of Chicago, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Helen Hisayasu and Mary Byington, brother Tom Ogoshi and son Bill, Jr.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of his life at an Open House on Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 6 p.m. at 907 Juniper Drive in Moses Lake.

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest a donation to the Senior Citizens Center (608 East Third Avenue, Moses Lake, WA 98837), where Bill enjoyed so much caring companionship in his last few years.