About Bill and His Girls!

This is about work by here is a little information and background about my dad

My dad was born in Valentine Nebraska in 1954. He was the youngest born to John and Maryanne VanderPloeg. John was a farmer and Mary Anne was a housewife. My grandfather, John, was a hard worker. He worked on the family farm and sometimes the rodeo circuit. My Grandma was an amazing cook and needle worker. She raised her three children and kept the house clean and organized.

Before first birthday family moving to California but stopped in Casper, WY to visit family.

Car broke down and so family stayed in Casper

When the family moved to Casper, John worked in a lumber yard doing deliveries. Maryanne started working at the local hospital as a nurse’s aide.

Living in Casper for 12 years, the family in 1968 moved to Seattle to be close to Dad’s Mom at 13 years old

John was a farmer and a hard worker. When he was young, he worked on and eventually took over the work on the family farm. He also worked on the radio circuit and this is where he met Maryanne.

Maryanne was a housewife, and a lot like her mother. She was an amazing quilter, needle worker and baker. She would show her projects at the local rodeos and met John there.

They would sing and play the guitar together. Hunting, fishing and camping was every weekend thing.

He attended Whitman JR High and Ballard High School

After graduation, joined National Guard Army

John and Maryanne continued hunting, fishing and camping until the day they passed in October of 1975

In February 1976 Bill was called out to a flood in the Renton area with the National Guard.  A family was stuck in their home and the water had surrounded the house. So, Bill was asked to go and get them from their house and to take them to a safe area where they could get some medicine for their little girl. As a result, Bill was awarded the highest award that the Guard gave to a soldier. 

November 1977 met Leanne– married in 81

Julie was his first born and was a good little girl, she always wanted to help me with my projects. One time Bill was working on the kitchen sink and she was right beside me handing me tools as Bill asked for them. We would go to the hardware shop together and to the car parts store also.

Laurie born second and my dad was happiest man in the world!

Julie is the talker and Laurie is always quite until the day he took just Laurie out and learned that is a talker too when alone.

Dad was very involved in the girl’s school and lives.

My Dad also wanted to live out a childhood dream, he wanted to DJ. He went to school to do that, working with DJs like Mike Webb and Sky Walker and was having fun. He played at weddings, receptions and reunions. At the end of the 1990s Bill had to stop DJing, it was affecting my home life.  Out late every Friday, Saturday and on Sundays.

Hired in 2001 as a part time driver full time in 2003. Then quit Blackburn after 27 years.

Wanted an RV, so started working at Metro part time to afford a RV in 2002.

In June of 2003 Julie graduated and in 2006, Laurie followed graduating from High School.

Bill was recruited to work full-time for Metro. He was very happy with the prospects of work there. Bill also had the relief of telling the coin-op company that he could no longer work for them. The end of 27 years with this job and 3 owners later. 

Moving to 2003 dad was recruited to work fulltime for Metro, he was so happy to tell the washer and dryer company goodbye after 27 years ups and downs with three owners.  We were very excited for a change in his life.

Always smiling and happy, willing to help anyone at any time. We can remember him taking the time. Helping people let to be a chief shop steward and helping tons of people make smart work choices.

He held the titles of Operated of the month, chief shop steward, safety community, highly regarded.

Dad’s famous quote “If your 15 min early you’re on time! On time your late. Follow metro rules you’ll have a wonderful life”

Passion for cars, he can tell you all the model, make and years of any cars on the road

Bill’s brothers are both passed away.

John was the oldest brother and he was smart thinker. He was in the Army. And lived in Oregon and Indiana.

Rick was the middle brother and best friends with Bill. They remained extremely close until he passed.

Bill has two nieces, a nephew, three great nieces and a great-great niece

Greatest job of all is being a dad and he will never retire from this job!!!

After 2 years and 10 doctors, 2018 brought health challenges and changes which caused him to not be able to drive professionally or personally.

Currently Bill and Leanne are living still in Lake Forest Park and been married since 1981. Bill is disabled because of ALS. Leanne is working at Europe Express as Customer Service Manager. They are enjoying working on their bucket lists.

Julie married Terri July 2, 2019 and living in Rogue River, OR. They visit Washington regularly. Julie is still a volunteer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She also has gone back to school for Medical Billing and Coding.

Laurie married Will June 16, 2018 and for living in Lynnwood, WA. They both work for Restaurant Depot. Laurie’s is a Front End Supervisor and Will is a Senior Receiving Manager. They have a cat they adore named Howard.