William Lane “Bill” Cornell, died April 10, 2014 at Summer Hill Retirement & Assisted Living, Oak Harbor, at the age of 87. He was born March 20, 1927 in Buffalo, New York to William and Gertrude Cornell. Following high school, Bill served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. When the war ended, Bill left the service and attended Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts where he received his Bachelor’s Degree. He was married to his first wife Justine and from that marriage, four daughters were born. That marriage ended 23 years later in divorce. Bill then married Nancy, who died 13 years later.

Bill became an Executive with the YMCA and a Parks and Recreation Supervisor. He retired from the Parks Dept. in Aurora, CO and moved to Oak Harbor in 1990.

Bill was a member of St. Augustine in the Woods Episcopal Church, Freeland, where he served as a Lay Reader. He was a life member of Kiwanis International and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Oak Harbor and had nearly 50 years of perfect attendance with the organization. He was totally committed to Kiwanis and was chairman of many fund raising activities including the Carson & Barnes Circus, Whidbey Island Jazz Festival, and Danny Vernon Elvis shows, as well as participating in most of the events of the Club for the past 24 years. He also was twice Past President of the Club.

Bill served as chairman of the Oak Senior Center Board and as North Whidbey Representative to the Veteran’s Assistance Board. He was instrumental in obtaining funds to furnish the Respite Care Facility next to the Senior Center.

Bill is survived by four daughters: Judith Schwartz and husband Neal of Redmond, WA; Deborah Adler of Deltona, FL; Stephanie Presley and husband Ray of Palm Coast, FL and Leslie Hodges and husband Algie of Kennett Square, PA.

Memorial services, with military honors, will be held for Bill on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 11:00 am at Wallin Funeral Home with Gary Wallin, Certified Life Celebrant officiating. A memorial service will also be held Saturday, May 17 at 2:00 pm at St. Augustine-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church, Freeland, WA with Rev. Nigel Taber-Hamilton officiating.

Cremation was held with interment to follow at the church. Memorials may be made to the Oak Harbor Senior Center or the Kiwanis Club of Oak Harbor.
Friends and family are encouraged to visit Bill’s Book of Memories page at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.

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