Charles William (“Bill”) Mason was born in Santa Cruz, California on August 1, 1927, to Anna Margaret Anderson and Stephen Cortez Mason. When Bill was three his family moved to False Bay on San Juan Island. In 1945, Bill graduated early from Friday Harbor High School and joined the Navy, anxious to help his country’s World War II effort. Leaving the Navy, he made the United States Coast Guard his career which culminated in Alaska as the captain of a buoy tender.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, Bill returned to Friday Harbor with his family where they spent many, happy years before he and Myke left to travel and settle in Shelton, WA.

While in the Navy, Bill met his great love, Wanda Louise (“Myke”) Rusling. They eloped to Las Vegas and were married for 57 years until her death in 2003. A year later, Bill moved to Utah and spent the last 19 years with his daughter, Mykel, much to her delight and gratitude.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Myke; son, Charles William, Jr.; and daughter, Meryle (Jim) Backus. He is survived by his daughter, Mykel Mason (Sandy, UT); daughter, Johnda (Nick) Smith (Pensacola, FL); son-in-law, Jim Backus (Pagosa Springs, CO); honorary son, Mickey (Sandra) Strong (Spokane, WA); and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was our rock.

Bill will be interred in the San Juan Cemetery on November 4, 2023.