William O. Belmondo was born on March 28th, 1925, in Renton, WA. He passed away peacefully on July 18th at the grand age of 90. Bill lived all his life in Renton, graduating from Renton High School in 1943, where he excelled at basketball, football, track and fast-pitch softball.
As a member of the Greatest Generation, he entered the Navy out of high school and served his country in World War II as a radar man on the USS White Plains in the Pacific theatre and then as a plank owner aboard the USS Midway. After the war, Bill attended Washington State College (University) where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. While in college he met Janet, his wonderful wife and life partner of 63 years. They were married June 22, 1952.
After graduating from Washington State, Bill began a 35 year career of public service in the Renton School District, first as a teacher and coach, and eventually serving in numerous district central office administrator positions.
Bill enjoyed winemaking, long walks in the woods in search of mushrooms, camping and pheasant hunting with family and friends. He was a skillful and avid golfer who had three holes-in-one over his career. He played golf “with the boys” several times a week in retirement and into the last year of his life. He shared a special friendship with many over a cup of coffee during the week, starting the days off with encouragement and laughter. He and Janet were very fortunate to have a close circle of friends with whom they had many “Italian” dinner parties and card games over the years. He was a long time member of the Renton Lions Club supporting many activities in the Renton area.
Bill placed family first and was a wonderful example of caring love with a joyous sense of humor. He was a captivating storyteller. He touched the lives of many, many people through his kind heart and thoughtfulness, living up to his last name, which in Italian means “Beautiful World.”
He was a loving father and husband, papa and great-papa. He is survived by his wife, Janet, and children Jeff, Craig, Janet and Brad, 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Rose and siblings Mario, Erma and Johnny.
Bill’s family extends a most heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses and staffs at Virginia Mason Hospital and Garden Terrace in Federal Way for their extraordinary care and support.
Remembrances may be shared at www.legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Renton Historical Society or charity of your choice.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at 10:30am at St Anthony’s Parish, 314 South 4th St, Renton, followed by a celebration of Bill’s “Life in a Beautiful World” at 11:45am at Maplewood Golf Course. A family internment service will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery.
