Dr. William Waltner

Dr. William E. "Bill" Waltner, 66, of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, February 8, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. A celebration of life for family and friends will be announced at a later date.

Bill was born on March 12, 1951 in Mount Vernon, Washington to Ernest & June (Watson) Waltner. He grew up in Mount Vernon and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1969. He attended the University of Washington where he earned his undergraduate degree in microbiology before attending medical school at Creighton University where he earned his MD. He was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Societies. Bill served his residency followed by a fellowship at the University of North Carolina Medical Center in Chapel Hill before becoming a public health physician in the Appalachian region of North Carolina.

Bill was board certified in five specialties - internal medicine, critical care, pulmonary pediatrics, pediatrics and pulmonary disease. After completing his studies on the east coast, Bill returned to Washington and established a private practice in Bellingham. He then moved to Pullman to serve as a hospitalist at Pullman Regional Hospital. In 2008, Bill moved to Ellensburg where he was a hospitalist at the Kittitas Valley Hospital until his health forced him to retire in late 2017.

While on a vacation to the Philippines, Bill met Arlene Cariaga and the two married on December 16, 2012. In addition to his love of medicine, Bill also had a passion for motorcycles and sailboats. Bill so enjoyed sharing his love of reading, traveling, riding motorcycles and sailing with Arlene.

Bill is survived by his wife Arlene Waltner, of Ellensburg; sisters Margaret (Mark) Morris of Lacey and Mary (Steve) Lindberg of Olympia as well as several nieces, nephews and many great friends. Memorial contributions in Bill's honor are suggested to the KVH Hospital Foundation, 603 S. Chestnut, Ellensburg, Wash. 98926. Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with caring for Bill's family. Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com