William Wetzler

Obituary William Lawrence Wetzler, a beloved teacher, coach, grandfather, father, and husband, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017. Bill was born April 6, 1936, in Fort Collins, Colorado, to a large, Catholic farming family. The Wetzlers moved from Colorado to Alliance, Nebraska, and eventually to their forever home in Deer Park, Washington. A superior athlete, Bill excelled at football, baseball, basketball, and virtually any athletic endeavor imaginable. Coaching was a natural fit for Bill and he proudly coached football, wrestling, track, basketball, baseball, and softball at Bellarmine Preparatory High School for the majority of his 33 years at the school. His proudest coaching achievement came in 1986 when his Bellarmine Girls Varsity Softball Team captured the State Championship. Employed at Bellarmine Prep from 1964 - 1997, Bill taught Chemistry, Biology and Horticulture. He was a dedicated teacher who helped many students embrace the world of science and he loved to hear from his former students. Bill's interests included officiating baseball, wrestling and slow-pitch. He was a Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus, a Master Gardener, a beekeeper, the Nebraska State Marble Champion in 1950, the creator of the coveted "Mr. Wetzler's Cinnamon Rolls" (baked in the Bellarmine Science Department oven), a volunteer teacher at St. Bernadette School in Burien, and a very proud Grandpa. He is survived by his wife, Rita, of 59 years; his children, Dominic, Angela, Laurie, and Michele; and his grandchildren, Kendall and Jarod. In lieu of flowers, you may contribute to the William Wetzler Scholarship Fund at Bellarmine Preparatory School, 2300 South Washington, Tacoma, or St. Bernadette Grade School. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, September 29, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 1028 SW 128th St, Seattle, WA 98146 followed by a reception in the parish hall. Rosary will be recited Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:00pm at Gaffney Funeral Home Chapel, 1002 S. Yakima Ave, Tacoma, WA. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.