William L. Honeysett On Sunday, December 28th, Bill took his final breath at home surrounded by family. He was born to Thelma and Harlan Honeysett on August 13, 1937 in Wenatchee, WA. After high school graduation he moved to Tacoma to attend the University of Puget Sound. After a short stay in Tacoma, Bill moved to Bellingham to join the Bellingham Herald as an advertising intern. It was there he met the love of his life, Norma Wilson. After a brief courtship, Bill and Norma married in 1962. They welcomed their daughter, Michelle, in 1964, and their son, Richard, in 1967. The family remained in Bellingham, and Bill took leadership of the Bellingham Herald until a job opportunity brought the family to San Bernardino in 1977. After several years in Southern California, Bill welcomed the opportunity to bring his family back to the Pacific Northwest in 1983, when he was offered the job to become publisher of the Tacoma News Tribune. Bill had an impact on the Tacoma community through his work as publisher and the many philanthropic causes he and Norma supported from 1983 until they moved to Sacramento in 1992. During those years, they built their family vacation home in Chelan, WA. That family cabin has been a place of celebration and relaxation over the years. After a brief stay in Sacramento, Bill moved back to Tacoma - a city that was so close to his heart. He and Norma continued to support their beloved community while spending time with their grandchildren, wintering in Palm Desert, and spending their summers at their treasured Lake Chelan home. Bill will be missed daily by his wife of 52 years, Norma. His humor and insight will be missed by his children, Michelle and Ernie Schilter and Kim and Richard Honeysett. He leaves behind three grandchildren, Alex and Lauren Schilter and Kayla Honeysett. He also leaves behind his brother Richard (Charleen) Honeysett, and many nieces and nephews and other family members. The Honeysett family is so grateful to those who made Bill's last weeks and final days so peaceful - Megan, Karen, Ashley, Crystal, Lana, Yan and Judy - we are so blessed by your compassion and care. You are forever and always a part of our family. There are no immediate plans for a memorial service, so the family asks that each person who has been touched by Bill's immense kindness and generosity remember and honor him in any way you find appropriate. If you would like to continue Bill's generous spirit, the family would be thankful for donations to go to the Multicare Hospice, the Tacoma Community College Nursing Program, or the Bill and Norma Honeysett Endowed Scholarship at TCC. In one last act of generosity, Bill donated his body to the University of Washington Willed Body Program for research on Parkinson's disease and dementia.
Published in News Tribune (Tacoma) on Jan. 3, 2015