Bill Illi Turns 100

This essay by Seattleite Lori June Wright is a tribute to a very special Northwesterner who turned 100 years old on July 16

Waldo William Illi (Bill) was born on July 16, 1924. 

Bill performed my wedding ceremony in September of 1982. His wife, Barbara, was a whirlwind of energy and creativity, and a good friend of my mom, Marilyn. They met at the church I grew up going to in the 1960s and 70s.

Two years ago, I was volunteering at the church camp I had loved as a kid. Friends from long ago invited me to help cook for the week at summer camp, a camp I had not attended in more than 40 years. I reconnected with folks I hadn't seen in a lifetime, which was wonderful. 

I inquired about the kids my age and about the Illi family. I wanted to know what had become of all of them. I was told that Bill Illi was alive and well and living in Salem, Oregon in a retirement village. 

At age 100, Bill Illi remains active and vibrant 

I was elated! Bill and his family had been very special to me, and I couldn't wait to get in touch.

I sent an email to Bill. He replied immediately and was excited to set up a Zoom meeting with me. HE set up the meeting and I was amazed at how vibrant he has remained. 

His wife, Barb, passed away in 2017 and he misses her deeply. She was the inspiration that kept his life exciting and unpredictable. Barb was that "love of your life" type partner that made Bill a better person.

We began Zoom meetings every Monday night. Bill is a whiz on the computer, and he continues to set up all of our Zoom meetings.

His quest for knowledge, his interest and passion for life has not waned one bit. He emails me great YouTube links for hot air ballooning, paragliding (which he has done) and soaring airplanes (which has done). He tracks friends' airplane travels with the flight tracker app he taught me how to use. 

I visited Bill about five months ago for the first time in more than 40 years. I was astounded that he made me lunch and showed me around his 2-bedroom home in the retirement community. It was a great visit and we had fun reminiscing about my mom and his family. We caught up on a few things and agreed to keep Zooming on Mondays. 

I look forward to connecting with him every week. We always find something new to discuss and almost always run out of our Zoom time.

I knew Bill had an important birthday coming up, so after a trip to the Oregon Coast, two friends and I made a point to visit for a little celebration in anticipation of his 100th birthday. I called and asked him what we could bring. He said his favorite pizza was Hawaiian, so we picked up a pizza, salad, a chocolate cake, and a few party favors to help him celebrate.  

Bill enjoying his impromptu early 100th birthday party  

The visit was filled with laughter, art, harmonica playing, a Zoom with his son, Chuck, (who lives in Florida), and stories of his past 100 years. We departed after three hours of sharing, feeling inspired, in awe, and wanting more time with Bill.

Here are just a few highlights of Bill's life that he has shared with me during our visits: 

 

The only child of his parents, Bill was born in Michigan. At a very young age, he was sent to live with his aunt and uncle. They had no children at the time, and because Bill's parents were struggling during the Depression, they felt this was the right thing to do for Bill's well-being. Bill's aunt and uncle soon had a son, Bill's cousin, whom he considered his brother. They grew up together playing, going to school, and attending the local Lutheran Church -- which started each service in German. Bill would continue to attend the Lutheran church until he met his wife, Barbara. 

Bill had dreamed of becoming a pilot since he was a little boy. He would make airplanes out of cardboard boxes, complete with an instrument panel he drew on the box. He used to listen to "The Air Adventures of Jimmie Allen" radio show (about a teenage pilot and his adventures flying around the world). When Bill was around 10 years old, he heard that the local gas station had lessons he could complete to get his flying wings! He remembers going to the gas station to pick up the lessons, completing them one by one, and finally receiving his first little pilot wings. They may have been plastic, but they were greatly cherished by the future aviator. 

In senior high school, Bill took Aviation Cadet tests, and did very well. He then joined the US Army Air Force, volunteering for service in March 1943. He repaired B24 airplanes in Mississippi, then was sent to the University of Alabama as a freshman where he remained for less than a year when World War II came calling.

Bill had known since he was a little boy that he wanted to be a pilot, and he flew many different planes over his miliary career. After WWII, he served in the reserves during the Korean War, was recalled to active duty during the Pueblo crisis, and flew in the Vietnam War.

Some of those flying experiences were close calls... but for the grace of God, says a grateful Bill. He retired from the US Air Force in 1973.

A photo montage of planes that Bill flew

After the Air Force, Bill was in Chicago attending art school. He loved to draw, paint and create cartoons, and everyone kept telling him that he should be an artist. One day at the Art Institute, he overheard a young woman chewing out someone, telling them they were a pipsqueak. He was curious... Who was this fireball? That's how he met the love of his life, Barb. He asked her out; shortly after, in 1949, they were married by Barb's father in Independence, Missouri. Their daughter, Diane, was born in 1950, followed by Chuck in 1953.

 

The happy couple, Bill and Barbara Illi

 

Bill loved family life. He also loved the church and was called to the priesthood in 1952. He studied, took classes, and told me what God said to him one day: "If you're struggling and if you want to know me, check me out." Bill says he is still studying, still learning about life and God to this very day.

In 1970, Barb encouraged Bill to keep his pilot's license and he became a flight instructor. Bill taught flying and I was lucky enough to fly with him years ago during an instructor testing flight! What a great flight it was! He passed with flying colors.

Bill found a career at Boeing beginning in 1987. He worked on the B52 along with his supervisor, Joe Rantz, of the "Boys in the Boat" fame. Joe Rantz was part of the gold medal winning University of Washington rowing team at Hitler's 1936 Olympics. (Joe's story was made famous in the bestselling book, The Boys in the Boat, and the George Clooney film of the same name).

Working on the sealant application of the B52, Bill recalls he and Joe getting inside the fuselage to test the sealant and finding that it was leaking badly. They called the president of Boeing, who met with Joe and Bill. Production was halted while they worked to solve the issue. Bill said that he didn't know his supervisor, Joe Rantz, was an Olympic gold medal winner until the book came out. He remembers Joe as being a very kind and humble man.

Eventually Bill was moved to the chemical group. He worked in the aerospace department, earning 2 ½ years of college credits while working. 

Barb continued her artwork doing paintings, driftwood etch burnings, and even worked for Hallmark designing greeting cards. 

When Bill and Barb retired, they did some traveling. A trip to the Panama Canal is a favorite memory. Barb came up with the surprise adventures, which was one of the many things that Bill loved about her. He loved her adventurous spirit, her spontaneity, and her love of life.

Bill continues his work as an artist

 

Bill and Barb shared many wonderful times with family and friends over the years, traveling together and continuing with their artwork. The couple finally settled Salem, Oregon where Bill resides today. 

Cartooning remains a favorite artform for Bill. His imagination creates some wonderful characters, which showcase his great wit and clever sense of humor. He continues to learn new techniques and experiments with new mediums. Bill is often asked to do drawings of friends' pets, which he does gladly. Barb's artwork and the art they collected over the years adorns just about every nook and cranny of his 2-bedroom home.  

Bill often creates drawings of friends' pets

 

I asked Bill what the secret is to a long, happy, and full life. He replied thoughtfully via email:

"One thing I need to make important: is that everyone should have a hobby, an art, or music, or something to keep their mind and body active in their old age -- with as many friendships as possible; these, along with a strong belief in God will help to insure a full and long life. Nothing will prevent hardships and struggles, but these events will give deeper understanding of what life and love is all about... Compassion can only come from a positive, understanding heart! Love, Bill"

Bill (center) playing the harmonica at his 100th birthday bash

 

Happy 100th Birthday, Bill!

Lori June Wright is a professional real estate advisor who lives in West Seattle (Tec Real Estate)