William (Bill) Vincent Baumgartner, age 88, died peacefully at his home in Richland on June 7, 2018 with his family at his side. He was born to Peter and Barbara Baumgartner on a farm one mile south of Linton, ND, moving to Strasburg, ND in 1936. He attended St. Benedict’s grade school through the 7th grade before moving to Yakima, WA. He was Valedictorian of the Marquette High School Class of 1947. He then attended Yakima Valley Junior College, played football despite working full-time at Noel Yakima City Creamery, and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree. He married his childhood friend (and love of his life), Lillian Unser, his senior year at Seattle University before earning a B.S. in Chemistry. He went on to pursue graduate studies in higher mathematics at the University of Washington.

          Bill moved to Richland in 1951 to work at the Hanford Project for several different contractors, including General Electric, Battelle, U.S. Testing Company, and Westinghouse before retiring in 1996. Along the way, he met many wonderful people and had a lot of interesting assignments. Bill was a Tech Grad in the labs at the 200-W processing plants, a Senior Research Scientist for Battelle in Radiation Protection, doing field work in all of the operating areas at Hanford, and was a member of the Health Physics Society. He also worked as a team member to develop the automated personnel film and TLD processing systems and computer programs, and wrote the Safety Analysis Report for the 200 Area Tank Farms and the Hoist and Rigging Manual for Hanford Atomic Products Operations. Bill was Vice-President for U.S. Testing Company, running the Richland Laboratory for 17 years. 

          As a member of Christ the King Catholic Church, Bill sang in the choir for 50 years, cantered at Sunday masses, was active in the Visitation Ministry, and co-instituted and was President of the Parish Council. He also was President of the school PTO. He was Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3307, was a member of the Yakima Diocesan Council of Catholic Men for 15 years, and worked with the Bishop on the Diocesan Finance Committee.  

          Bill was an avid reader, particularly enjoying Louis L’Amour novels. He took pleasure in crossword and word puzzles, but loved all manner of card games (especially bridge and cribbage) and his Wednesday card get-togethers at the Spudnut Shop. He felt blessed to have been able to travel the world with his wife, Lillian, treasuring their time in China, Russia, and Turkey. Bill strongly believed in giving back to his community and was a life member of the Richland Chamber of Commerce and its President from 1974 to 1976, a member of the Advisory Committee for the City of Richland, a chairman of the Industrial Committee for the United Way, and a member of the Advisory Committee for the CBC data processing department.   

           Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Barbara Baumgartner, and granddaughter, Laura Wright. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lillian, brother Herman, sister Bernice Zerr (George), son William (Saunie), daughters Karen Wright (Kelly), Patty, and Geri Nickels (Joe), grandchildren (Ellison, Pele, Maureen, Annie (Adam), John, and Natalie), great-granddaughter Beth, and several nieces and nephews.

           Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland, Washington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. officiated by Msgr. Thomas C. Champoux. A reception in the Gathering Space at Christ the King Catholic Church will follow the Mass. The family has planned a private interment. 

          Bill will be greatly missed, especially his love, warm smile, bear hugs, booming voice, and infectious laugh. Special thanks to Dr. Glen Zuroske, Tim Lord ARNP, and Chaplaincy Hospice Care. If desired, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Catholic Charities, KC HELP, and/or Chaplaincy Hospice Care