William A Vance

November 11, 1933 – August 15, 2025

Bill Vance passed away in his sleep on August 15, 2025. Born in Seattle on November 13, 1933 to Lloyd and Ruth Vance, he graduated from Lakeside School in Seattle in 1951 and Amherst College in 1955.

Following college Bill went through Officer Candidate School and served in the US Navy as a cryptographer, serving most of his time at Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC. He met his future wife, Ruth Paterson, while stationed in DC. They were married in New York City in 1959 and moved to Seattle, where Bill joined his family’s commercial real estate business. Within a few years Bill left the company and went off on his own, investing in and managing properties. He also became an MAI (Member Appraisal Institute) and joined the commercial real estate appraisal firm of Shorett & Riely, spending 30 years there as a partner.

After his active duty was over, Bill spent 30 years in the Naval Reserve, working one weekend a month at the old Naval Reserve Center on the south end of Lake Union, as well as flying to various locations around the country. As little kids we always thought he was off on a mission of some sort. He retired from the Naval Reserve a Captain, always very proud of his service.

Bill’s favorite activities were playing soccer with his “over 40” team, poker night with his friends, Tuesday lunch and bridge game at the U-Club, golfing with his friends, and his annual fishing trips to the Queen Charlottes with his half-brother Dick.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, and his granddaughter Alexa. He is survived by his daughter, Lea Leuckel (Dave), his sons Neal and Charlie (Lisa), and his grandchildren Christopher, Connor, Andrew, Billy, and Chloe.