Bernard Holmes McMahill

Bernie McMahill was born on January 4, 1926 in Omaha, NE and died in Renton, WA on November 24, 2010. He was a lover of junkyards, children, cats, jazz, chocolate, goats, dancing, old movies, and old cars. Bernie is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy; children Scott (Robin), Cheiron and Teresa; stepchildren John Sawyer, Dean Sawyer (Marie), Heidi Hale (John), and Shari Trotzuk (Wayne); brothers Gary McMahill, Fred Davis (Dorothy), and Duane “Micky” Davis (Rosemary); 16 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 5 nieces; 4 cousins, and 1 grand-cat. Brother James McMahill and son John Bernard McMahill preceded Bernie in death. When he was 3-years old, Bernie’s family moved to Seattle to join relatives. His father died in 1931, and in 1934 Bernie’s mother married Claude Davis. Claude’s work and wanderlust took the family to many places, among them Panama, Electric City, WA, where Claude worked on the Grand Coulee Dam, and Port Angeles, WA—where Bernie met his first wife, Irene, and finished high school. His poor eyesight prevented Bernie from joining the military in WWII, but he proudly served as a Merchant Marine. Bernie moved from Port Angeles to Seattle in 1950. He worked for the Boeing Company over 45 years, starting on the assembly line and ending his career in training. After his retirement, Bernie could often be found at the Renton Library, Scarecrow Video, or Borracchini’s Bakery. His favorite pastime, however, was working on his beloved car—a work-in-progress that included parts from a Chevy Corvair, Cadillac, and 1939 Lincoln Zephyr coupe. A big-hearted, generous, warm-spirited lover-of-life and great story-teller, Bernie will be dearly missed. Donations in his memory can be made to the junkyard of your choice, or the King County Library System Foundation, 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah, WA 98027, or on line at kclsfoundation.org (please indicate that the donation is in Bernie’s memory and the funds will go to the Renton Library).

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