William L. Bellomy Jr.
William L. Bellomy Jr. (Bill) 57, longtime Moses Lake resident, died unexpectedly, but peacefully, on Nov. 14, 2006. A memorial service was held on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.
He was born in Pasco, Aug. 27, 1949, to William and Florence Bellomy. He moved with his family to Moses Lake in 1951, to the family farm where Bill Sr. developed the farm through the Columbia Basin Project. Bill took over the farm in 1981 when his dad retired, continuing the farming tradition.
Bill graduated from Moses Lake High School and further pursued his education at the University of Washington graduating with degrees in English, Literature and Philosophy. Prior to completing his masters program, he took a sabbatical to explore cultural diversity in Mexico for one year.
He returned to Washington and began working on the Grand Coulee Dam Project. In 1974, Bill began his lifelong legacy as one of Grant County's most respected farmers.
His love for agriculture provided him with the dedication and drive to manage the Moses Lake Clean Lakes Project and 15 years with the Soil Conservation District.
In 1983, Bill suffered a tragic car accident, which left him considered by the medical world to be 100 percent physically disabled. Despite the title, Bill ran his farm both mentally and physically for 23 years.
He is survived by his wife Lisa (Farris), son William (Bill) Bellomy III, parents William L. Bellomy Sr. and Florence Bellomy, brother Col. Robert Bellomy (Carol), sisters Chris Quinn (Bill), Karen Bernd (Doug), Judy Dietzen (Tim), Jeannie Sanders (Dave) and numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be missed dearly by the countless number of people he inspired to embrace life's wild horses and ride with them toward the unbridled horizon.
The silence
So I will never walk again
And you will never speak
Is there not a human that is so weak
That he or she will not strive to overcome
That weakness that into humans seeks
That dark heart and open wound
There screams a mortal hideous sound
That peels the scab from ancient scars
And opens heaven's gate and searing stars
To paven freeways full of empty cars
No sound echoes from this silent ear
Except the emptiness of mortal human fear
— William L. Bellomy Jr.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to The Spinal Cord Injury Project 604 Allison Road, D-251 Piscataway, NJ 08854. Donations can be made online at SCIProject@biology.rutgers.edu. Click on the link "Donate Now."