William Harvey Klein

William (Bill) Harvey Klein (96) passed away peacefully at home, with family by his side, on May 28, 2021.

Bill was born to Hugo and Belle (Mattley) Klein in Wheeler, Oregon on November 12, 1924.

Bill attended Wheeler public schools. After graduating from Wheeler High School, he served in the US Navy. Bill attended University of Oregon as a member of Kappa Sigma and took a business/forestry degree. He then moved back to the Oregon coast and worked in Astoria. He met and married his partner of 62 years, Dorothy Juanita (Birks) Klein in Wheeler.

Bill and Nita moved to Sitka, Alaska where they started their family. The family also lived in Bethel and Anchorage. They moved to Carson City, Nevada in 1961, and then settled on the Island in 1963. Bill was a civil servant and worked for the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and the National Park Service, before retiring in 1979.

Bill enjoyed, and was committed to longtime affiliations with groups such as the Agate Pass Power Squadron, The Congregational Church Oatmeal Club, Bainbridge Library, Bainbridge Chorale, Bloedel Reserve, Helpline House, Bainbridge Historical Society, Bainbridge Foundation, Peace Trees Vietnam and others.

He had a fascination with building and enjoyed providing tree houses, go-karts, boats, and many other toys for his children. He also built a motel, a vacation house, a guest house, a garage and remodeled many structures. Growing up on the Oregon coast during the depression, like many others his age, he could fix anything.

A memorial service will be held at Seabold Methodist church on Bainbridge Island, WA, July 3, 2021, 1:00 PM. The CDC guidelines will be followed for social distancing.

In lieu of flowers Bill asked that remembrances be made to Bainbridge Helpline House. A direct web link can be found under Memorial Contributions.

He is survived by his children Mo Klein, Pam Klein, Brad Klein and 7 grandchildren.


Arrangements are entrusted to the Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA