William Francis Casto

William F. Casto, age 95, of Edgewood WA, passed away peacefully May31,2021. It was fitting that he passed on Memorial Day as he was a three war veteran.

Bill was born March 20,1926 in Lander, Wyoming and enlisted in the Navy in March of 1943.  He became a high-speed radio operator. He volunteered for PT Boat duty and was assigned to a PT Boat base in the South Pacific.  After the war and a brief stint as a civilian, he was recalled for the Korean Conflict, serving on Admiral Joy’s staff in Japan.  He remained in the Navy as an active reservist until he was recalled once more to serve in Vietnam on the USS Kearsarge.  After retiring in 1970 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer, he held various jobs but eventually returned to the sea. He sailed as a radio operator for NOAH in Alaska, also with the Rapid Deployment Force and ended his career sailing for Reynolds Metals.

Bill and Nita then became snowbirds in AZ and enjoyed life.  Bill hunted, fished, golfed, danced, sang, gardened, painted and did amateur theater.  He also LOVED his Jeep and all their adventures in it.

He remained an active ham radio operator for 73 years – W7NDO.

He participated in The Honor Flight Program, flying to Washington DC in 2013.  He also belonged to several service organizations  - BPOE #1450,VFW, American Legion, Fleet Reserve and PT Boats Inc.

Bill is survived by Nita, his wife of 72 years and his youngest sister Pat Ladwig as well as four children – Bill (Karen), Denise (Ron), Rob (Lindsey), and Carrie.  He was blessed with six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and loved by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Hazel Mae Walters Casto Phillips(Riley) and William Franklin Casto as well as his sisters Reva Bond, Doris Jean Barth and Joy Hicks.

He will be interred in the Tahoma National Cemetery and a memorial will be held at the Puyallup Elks – dates to be announced.

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