Obituary of William Arys Huizinga

William Arys Huizinga III Bill, 64, died peacefully Sunday morning, January 7, surrounded by his loving family after a very brief but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was a beloved member of his family, Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Olympia, and the community of Onalaska where he had been principal at Onalaska High School since 1997. His happiest times were spent with his family; his dedicated and wonderful wife Jamie of 38 years, his three children Todd (Natasha) Huizinga of Tucson, Anne-Marie (Nabil) Istafanous and Sarah Huizinga of Seattle, and his four grandchildren Kaitlin and Kendall Huizinga of Tucson, and Maya and John Dashiell Istafanous of Seattle. Bill is also survived by his siblings, Robert and Richard Huizinga (Caldwell, ID), Donna Pierce (Meridian, ID) and his many nieces and nephews. Bill was born November 11, 1942 to William A. Jr. and Sylvia Huizinga in Oak Park, Ill. and was raised in Caldwell, ID. A graduate of the University of Idaho, Bill had a long and distinguished career in both business and education. His heart, however, was always in teaching and coaching and he was happiest at a school or sporting event. Bill’s outgoing nature netted him many friends and he was most famous for his big boisterous laugh and his gracious heart. He always had a funny or colorful joke ready to go and would do almost anything to get a laugh. Larger than life, Bill always had a smile and a kind or clever word, and particularly enjoyed his “kids” and staff at Onalaska High School (“It’s a great day to be a Logger!”). Under the humor and the big smile, Bill was an incredibly compassionate and loving man to his wife, his children, his extended family and his friends. He always was first in line to help someone in need and generously and tirelessly gave his time and energy to the causes and people he loved. Bill will be greatly missed, but his family and friends are thankful that he lived a blessed and wonderful life, topping it off with the trip of a lifetime in October to Ireland with his son to play golf in the World Pro-Am. A celebration of his life will be held at 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 11, at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1601 North St, Olympia. A family graveside service will be held in Caldwell, ID, at a later time. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Scholarship Committee, Onalaska School District, 540 Carlyle Ave, Onalaska, WA 98570.