April 24, 1943 – January 1, 2013
Shelton peacefully passed away at home on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 surrounded by his family and friends. Bill was born in Tulalip, Washington in 1943 and moved to the SeaTac area as a young man.
He served three years in the United States Army. Bill met Janet Hartong from Tukwila, Washington while both were employed by the Boeing Company and were married in 1984. They built a wonderful life together in Kent, Washington filled with friends and family. Bill and Janet have a daughter Amanda, whom Bill loved and adored and was exceedingly proud of.
Bill retired from the Boeing Company in 1999 as a general first line supervisor after working for the company for 34 years. He received a bachelor’s degree in business manufacturing from the University of Washington. Bill loved his work at Boeing where he acquired many leadership skills that he continued to utilize in his retirement and established many friendships that endured throughout his life.
Bill and his family settled in Tulalip after his retirement from the Boeing Company where he became active in Tribal governance. Bill will be remembered for his tireless efforts to improve life on the reservation for all people who lived in the reservation community. He was a gifted leader who used his talents and influence fairly and respectfully.
Bill served as the Chair of the Tulalip Planning Commission for many years making a positive impact on land use and protection within the reservation. Recently he served as a member of the Tulalip Tribes Smart Growth Committee, the Tulalip Tribes/Snohomish County MOU Team and the Tidelands Policy Committee. He was honored to serve on the Tulalip Tribes Drug Task Force and Elders Court helping to guide Tribal members to a better path in life. Bill was also active in the Elder Committee, the Hunting Rights Committee and had volunteered many hours at Heritage High School.
Bill was an avid hunter who enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with his daughter Amanda and close friends. He also loved playing golf and established great friendships throughout his life with his golf buddies. Bill adored his miniature pinchers, Annie, Maggie, Jackie and Zoe who brought him much joy.
Bill was a man who expected a lot from the people he knew and loved and in return he gave a lot to the people he knew and loved. He was a man that lived life to the fullest and he will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Shelton; and daughter, Amanda; his uncle Moxie Renecker, who raised him and his siblings; sisters, Nina Goodman, Janice Arthur, Myrna Holland and Debrah Rowell; and brothers, Steven Warbus and Wesley Warbus; along with countless other relatives and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by Rebecca Warbus, Joseph Warbus, Bernice Renecker, Jim Renecker, Norma Rivera, Vivian “Babe” Reeves, Rose Alexander, Elizabeth Ross, Reuben Shelton and Calvin Shelton.
A visitation will be held at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home in Marysville, Washington on Sunday, January 6, 2013, 1:00 p.m. followed by an Interfaith service at the Tulalip Tribal Gym at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Tulalip Tribal Gym, 6700 Totem Beach Road, Monday January 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Arrangements entrusted to Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home.
