Mercer Island and the entire Northwest Community has lost a true icon, leader and consummate gentleman, both as a friend and a leader in the real estate/urban development design fields. Mercer Island neighbors, Emmanuel Church members, former associates at William Bain Real Estate, and those in the design field know of William Bain and his extended family’s many contributions to help to build communities, both physical and spiritual, and his contribution to many civic activities, church and family. They know his wife, Carol, and daughter, Lesley, in the architecture/urban design field, and his cousin, William Bain, of MBBJ Architecture. Other family members included the Cowan family father, a principal of The Richardson Associates, and their daughter Laurie Cowan, urban designer and parks planner. We had the good fortune to know Laurie as a talented designer/architect with R. W. Thorpe & Associates for several years.

It is with sadness that we hear of Bill’s passing; however, we know wherever we go in our communities we will see both the built environment and spiritual communities touched by his family and his spirit and graciousness, among those he knew and willingly shared so much.

Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the entire Bain family.

Robert W. Thorpe/Anne Thorpe