Seattle, Washington - William Oliver Criminale Jr

Bill died a natural death on September 30, 2020 after almost 87 years of living the life he wanted.

Bill was born in Mobile, Alabama, the youngest of William Criminale and Vivian Sketoe's four children. His older siblings Emanual (Buck), Leonard (Rex) and Lorraine were almost adults when he arrived. A childhood in the south was followed by a lifetime of education, travel and adventure around the world. After completing a PhD degree at Johns Hopkins University, he traveled to Freiburg, Germany for post doctorate studies and it was there that he met the love of his life Ulrike Wegner. They married in 1962, and she returned to the states with him to build a life and family. While working at Princeton University, Bill and Ulrike had two children: Martin in 1964 and Lucca in 1966. The family subsequently moved to Seattle in 1969, which would be their lifelong home.

While raising a family (with Bill working at the University of Washington and Ulrike at the American Cultural Exchange), their lives were filled with many activities including hiking, skiing, running and traveling. Martin and Lucca had the good fortune to be introduced to these activities while growing up and benefited from two parents who supported their kids' ambitions and curiosity.

On July 31, 1988, Bill's life changed irrevocably when Ulrike died in a climbing accident. It was a loss he never fully recovered from. In the decades that followed, Bill traveled often, read copiously, and always supported his children. He loved his morning New York Times, daily crossword puzzles, walks through the neighborhood, and visiting with family and friends. As he aged and some things became more difficult, he did maintain a sense of humor beneath a gruff exterior. Two weeks before his death, when the doctor asked him if he knew who the president was, he looked him straight in the eye and said "unfortunately, yes."

It was hard for Bill at the end, because he missed being able to do the things that he loved, and he always missed Ulrike. He died listening to a wind concerto with his family at his side. His son Martin and daughter-in-law Shelley, as well as his daughter Lucca and son-in-law Bil, are grateful for his love and support, which never wavered. We love you and miss you Dad.