Our dear father and Opa passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2005, to join our beloved mother and Oma in heaven.

Opa was born Feb. 27, 1920 in Soerabaja on the island of Java, Indonesia. He lived a happy and prosperous life growing up in Indonesia with three sisters and as the son of many generations of Dutch East Indies Army officers. He traveled to Breda, Holland, in 1938 for Dutch Army officer training. World War II caused many changes in Opa's life including five years as a POW and the loss of both of his parents.

Following WWII he returned to Indonesia as a military officer and married Nurse Marie Elisabeth Francine Cats. Following the birth of daughters Beatrice Lucie and Anita Jeannette, Opa and Oma moved to Holland in 1950 where son Pieter Bruno and daughter Trudy Joke were born. During this time he served as an officer in the Dutch Army air defense artillery.

Willem and Marie immigrated to Seattle with their four young children in 1957. The family moved to a lovely home near Three Tree Point where they lived for 44 years. Opa worked in several factories until securing a job as a technical document language translator at the Boeing Co. until the big layoffs of 1970. After initial struggles finding work, Opa started a successful taxi business that, along with Oma's nursing career, provided the necessary income to keep the family going. Opa retired in 1990. He endured a long battle with Parkinson's Disease until his death.

We remember Opa's legacy as a kind man who loved his family and adored his six wonderful grandchildren. Opa enjoyed camping and boating with the family as we grew up with other Dutch colleagues that had immigrated. Opa encountered many challenges in his life and overcame them with courage, dignity, and perseverance.

Willem was preceded in death by his dear wife, Marie (Oma), and three sisters, Joke, Anita, and Truus. He is survived by his four children, Bea, Jeannette, Trudy and Bruno, and spouses Pam, Roger and Christine, and his six grandchildren, Jason, Trevor, Patrick, Lia, Pieter and Michelle.

We also acknowledge the wonderful compassionate care provided by the caregivers that allowed Opa to have home care until his final day, with special thanks to Helen Simons, Margaret Reed, and Providence Sound and Home Care Hospice.

A family memorial celebration of Opa's life was held Oct. 3 at the Onalaska Presbyterian Church. Contributions in Opa's memory can be made to the Washington State Chapter, American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 75169, Seattle WA 98725-0169.