William L. Bellomy

On January 14, 2010, our rock and patriarch William L. Bellomy, father, grandpa, and friend, quietly passed away in his home on Anderson Island, WA. He leaves 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, all who will miss his singing “Goodnight Ladies”, the twinkle in his eye and his unconditional love and support.

William Bellomy (Bill, Dad) was born on July 25, 1919 in Troy, Idaho to Frances Rebecca Baldridge and James Roy Bellomy. He grew up in Pullman, WA, attended WSC and fought in WWII as a pilot flying the PBY “Black Cat” rescuing downed pilots and ship crew. He moved to Kennewick, WA where he learned the carpentry trade building homes for the Hanford Project employees. Bill our father, was a very hard working and capable man who was well respected and loved by all those who worked with him. These traits and skills came in handy when in 1950 he purchased a small homestead located in Moses Lake from his father. Over the next two years he would spend his weekends in Moses Lake building a new home for his growing family, soon to be six. Consistent with his heart of gold, Bill’s first hired hand was a man named Ed Tucker, who was living on his property. He and Ed cleared sagebrush, built, and dug ditches for the water that would eventually come from the Columbia Basin irrigation project. In the spring of 1952 Dad and Mom moved with their four children, Chris, Karen, Bill Jr., and baby Judy, onto the Bellomy Farm, later known as the Double B Ranch. His hard work, careful planning, research and preparation were recognized in his second year on the farm, when he traveled to Washington DC to receive the National Farmer of the Year Award. He was active on the Soil Conservation Board of Directors, WSU extension, and served as a Sunday school teacher and Elder for the First Presbyterian Church in Moses Lake.

The Bellomy farm managed to grow in size, with the addition of two children Bob and Jeannie, and acreage. Over the years many exchange students, scouting groups, hunters, extended family and friends found they were welcome on the Double B Ranch as well. In the winter Dad hand built ice rinks, gave toboggan rides behind the tractor, ending with pots of hot chocolate, made from scratch by Mom from the cow that Dad milked. Summers were filled with garden produce, pig roasts, watermelon, sweet corn feeds and hay rides pulled behind the tractor.

In 1977 Dad and Mom once again, purchased property, this time, on Anderson Island, WA where he along with a contractor built their final home. When his son Bill Jr. took over the farm in 1984 dad and mom finally retired to their home on the Island. Over the next 17 years they enjoyed meeting new friends, entertaining their children, many grand children and great grand children. They had lots of time for golfing, boating, fishing, digging for clams picking up oysters and mussels and hunting for chanterelle mushrooms.

In the spring of 2001 dad and mom moved off the island to Yakima, because of mom’s health, to be close to their daughter Karen. Karen supported dad as he provided for mom’s health care needs. In September 2006 they moved to Bridgeport Place, an assisted living facility in University Place, WA. They lived there until mom, his “sweetheart” of 64 years passed away in March 2008. Following mom’s death he moved back to the Island to live with his daughter Chris and Bill Quinn, who had purchased mom and dad’s home.

We celebrated dad’s 90th birthday on Anderson Island in July 2009 with extended family and friends. On October 24th dad attended the wedding of his grandson Devin and Chrissy Quinn, where he danced till midnight, with his daughters, grandchildren and their wives and the bridesmaids. There he was, with that broad smile and twinkle in his eye, we often saw when he danced with his “sweetheart” “Flossie” over the many years. On January 14th dad got his wish to be reunited with mom his “sweetheart”, where we know they are dancing together once again as they entertain the angels.

William L.Bellomy is survived by his daughters, Chris Quinn (Bill), Anderson Island, WA; Karen Bernd (Doug), Yakima, WA; Judy Dietzen (Tim) Pasco, WA; and Jeannie Sanders (Dave) Woodinville, WA; and son Col. Robert S. Bellomy (Carol) Mason Neck, VA. 15 grandchildren, Shaun Quinn, Ryan Quinn, Devin Quinn, Aimee Christopherson, Dylan Bernd, Dirk Bernd, William L. Bellomy III, Sarah Moody, Rachel Moritz, Leah Dietzen, Andrea Dietzen, Capt. Stephen Bellomy, Philip Bellomy, Britt Sanders and Kody Sanders and 11 great grandchildren, five of whom have been born since Flossie’s death.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife and “sweetheart” “Flossie” Bellomy, son William L. Bellomy Jr., parents James and Frances Bellomy, his sister Elizabeth Cloyd and Brother James R. Bellomy II.

A celebration of his life will be held in Yakima, WA at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 11:00 AM.

Donations may be made in his name to the charity of your choice or to First Presbyterian Church, Moses Lake, or First Presbyterian Church, Yakima.