William (Bill) Leroy McLaughlin

Bill was born in Compton, CA, on October 22, 1942. He spent his early years in Compton before his family moved to Stockton, CA, where he attended local schools. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and lived in Puyallup for the last 47 years.

While stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington State, Bill met the love of his life, Julie, in 1963. He heard a fellow soldier brag about a tall, good-looking redhead working at the coffee shop and bet he could get a date with her first. He won that bet, and they married in April 1964.

Known as Mac, Billie, or Willie Mac, depending on the sport he was playing, Bill participated in several championship men’s softball teams, played basketball, and loved golf. He also played co-ed softball with Julie, and the family took many camping trips to softball tournaments across Washington and Oregon. Shannon and Scott’s love of sports was inspired by their parents.

Bill worked in the autobody repair industry for over 25 years, most of those at Mullan’s Collision Center.

He is survived by his daughter Shannon Baker (husband Chuck) of Galena, MO; son Scott (wife Tia) of Graham, WA; 7 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and his sister Nancy Mallery (husband Jim) of Carson City, NV.

In Heaven, he is reunited with his wife Julie, whom he missed for 15 years, and his parents, Leroy and Ruth McLaughlin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to SendaVetFoundation.