William F. Niemi Jr. passed away on February 3, 2025, in Ellensburg, WA, at the age of 86. He was born in unconventional fashion on a ferry boat between Bremerton and Seattle on April 4, 1938. Raised in Seattle, he was the son of William Frank Niemi Sr. and Louise Alaska Fitwater Niemi and had a sister, Sallie Filer, who preceded him in death in 2023.
William was a man of exceptional intelligence and drive. After preparing at Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, WA, William attended Harvard College where he was a member of Dunster House and the Harvard Class of 1960 and from which he received his A.B. (in 1960) concentrating in economics. He earned a Master of Science degree in 1962 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He served for several years in the U.S. Coast Guard before embarking on a prominent career in business. As the CEO and one of the family partners who owned Eddie Bauer, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's legacy. Following its sale to General Mills, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish and operate numerous businesses across a wide range of industries.
Beyond his professional achievements, William's passion was open water. A lifelong sailor, he won the Victoria-Maui race multiple times and sailed all over the world, including far reaching destinations such as Easter Island and the Galapagos Islands. An avid outdoorsman, he travelled to Africa for safaris, scuba-dived in Micronesia, and summited Mt. Rainier.
He was first married to Susan with whom he had two daughters, Erica Exline and Lisa Niemi. Subsequently, for 38 years, he was devoted to his loving wife Marilyn Niemi and was stepfather to Michel Sewell and John Pola. His grandchildren -- Rachael, Fern, Alaska, Wesley, Parker, Madison, and Quinn -- were a source of great pride and joy.
William's family used to joke that instead of looking something up in an encyclopedia, all they had to do was ask Bill. He was a voracious reader with a deep love for history. A masterful carpenter, he remodeled homes and could fix anything-electrical, plumbing, woodworking, and beyond. He was a storyteller, an adventurer, and a leader. William had a signature look when working in the yard, always wearing his boat shoes and red suspenders.
Above all, William was a generous and steady presence in the lives of his family, offering wisdom, strength, and love. His legacy will live on in the stories he told, the lives he touched, and the family who loved him.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
Slightly modified from what was published by The Daily Record (Ellensburg, WA) from February 22 to February 23, 2025.
