WILLIAM "BILL" JOSEPH EWALIKO

93, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2018, in Salem, Oregon surrounded by family. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on April 25, 1925. Bill was one of nine siblings born to Edward and Victoria Ah Yat. At birth, he was hanai by William and Molly Ewaliko to carry on his grandmother’s maiden name.

Bill graduated from McKinley High School in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was an outstanding member of the football and track teams. In between high school and college he served honorably in the U.S. Army in the European Theater during WWII. He then graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and was an all-conference/small school All American as a running back football player and track team member. While at Willamette, he received the Booth Award as Student Athlete of the Year. He had a long career as a teacher and coach, beginning at high schools in Oregon and concluding at Kailua High School in Hawaii. He retired from the Hawaii State Department of Education in 1981 and moved to Grants Pass, where he and wife Jerri spent many years fishing on the Rogue River which was in their front yard.

Predeceased by wife, Jerrilee Ewaliko; siblings Herman Frank Ah Yat, Ernest Ah Yat, Irving “Kaili” Ah Yat, Maria Artis and Edward Ah Yat. Survived by siblings Victoria “Lehua” Ward, Clement Ah Yat and Miriam “Kaimi” Sanders. Survived by children: Kerry (Dean) Kelley, Greg (Doris) Jenkins, Rod Ewaliko, Bary (“Keahi”) Ewaliko, Martin (Lauren) Ewaliko, Lori (Bob) DeSouza, Kim (Rick) Bearden; ten grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Private family funeral services are pending.