William Biaggio Cammarano Jr.

William “Bill” Cammarano, Jr. died on September 21, 2023 in the company and care of his wife and children. Eighty-eight years previous to this he was born to William, Sr. and Louise Cammarano in Tacoma, WA. They gave him a sister Toni and the two spent their early years playing in the yard of their home in Brown’s point directly across the bay from the Tacoma neighborhoods where Bill lived his life.

Bill attended Stadium High School—rarely, if ever, missing a class reunion. He later attended Seattle University and somewhere around that time became very, very interested in jazz music, wooden motor boats, auto racing and a beautiful, young woman named Sandra (presumably in ascending order). Sandra (Sandy) became his wife and lifelong friend and companion. The two of them, possibly with the aid of that jazz music, created four children; William III, M. Stephen, Dina and Andrew whom they raised with boundless love and care. Included in the expression of his love for his family were unforgettable, yearly voyages on his hand modified trawler, aptly named the ‘Six Pac’, that provided weeks of adventure and family togetherness while exploring ever northward up B.C.’s Inside Passage.

To pay for all of that, Bill worked for his father and his uncles at their soda pop bottling and beer and wine distribution company, Cammarano Brothers, Inc.. Eventually, in partnership with his cousins; Robert, James and David, he took over management of the enterprise and operated it with great success for several decades. Though, in later years, jazz remained confined to the record cabinet, the passion for auto racing literally outgrew the garage (then several garages) as Bill’s passion for cars, and in particular restoring and racing vintage sports racing cars became his daily labor of love. And one that rewarded him with a rich network of friends and collaborators all of whom kept him company and enriched his later years. Bill spent his final years with Sandy just near the water on the Tacoma side of the bay and each morning could see the sunrise illuminate the bluffs near his childhood home where he and his sister would play.

Bill is survived, and sorely missed, by his wife Sandra, his four children; William III (Clare), M. Stephen (Lisa), Dina (Mark) and Andrew (Francesca) and his grandchildren; LaRae, Chanel, Colin, Jasmine, Bianca and Giada. He is also survived by his cousins Jim Robbins (Dinah), Robert Cammarano (Stacia), David Cammarano (Sharon) and Ann Cammarano.
A ceremony in celebration of his life will be held on Friday, October 13th at 11am at The Church of Saint Patrick, 1123 North J Street, Tacoma. Reception to follow immediately at the church.