Larry W. "Bill" Gordon

Mass of Christian Burial for Larry William "Bill" Gordon will be celebrated at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, September 27 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Ellensburg with burial and military honors to follow at the IOOF Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will follow the graveside. The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26 at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg. Viewing will also be Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Gordon, 85, a longtime Kittitas Valley resident, passed away on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the KVH Hospital.

Bill was born on April 12, 1939 in Mobridge, South Dakota to James & Edrie (Miller) Gordon. The family moved to the Kittitas Valley when Bill was young. He completed his early schooling at The Lourdes Academy and also attended Thorp High School. Bill enlisted in the United States Navy in 1958 and was on the USS Midway in the Western Pacific. He served four years before being honorably discharged in 1962. Bill met Julia Fahy while he was in San Diego, and they married in 1963, making their home in Lyons, Colorado where they had children Billy and Shelia.

In March of 1973, Bill married the love of his life, Roylyn Burdick, and together they created a loving home for their blended family of children - Bill’s two children Billy and Shelia and Roylyn’s daughters Wanda and Debbie. They returned to Bill’s hometown of Thorp in 1977.

Bill had a long and successful career in excavation and land development he started in Colorado and continued in Washington. Over the years, he and his dad worked tirelessly installing irrigation ditches, and fixing water problems on many a farm. He also installed septic systems, roads, and foundations for many in the area. 

Bill and his dad were also responsible for the development of land and building of the roads and other infrastructure for the Ellensburg Ranches development north of Ellensburg. Bill loved all the time he spent on equipment and was highly respected and known amongst those he worked with as someone who could “make a backhoe dance”.

Although he never officially “retired”, Bill did slow down in his later years due to health problems. Although his body slowed down, his mind never stopped thinking of new and innovative ways to get things done. He rarely left work but when he did, he liked to go to high school sporting events, fishing, listening to country music, watching UFC, Boxing and the Seahawks with his family and friends. Bill had a big heart and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who might need it.

Bill is survived by his children Bill (Laurie) Gordon, Shelia (Victor) Gibson and Wanda (Ron) Foxhoven; grandchildren Billy Gordon, Hailey Gordon, Deaira Gordon, Cody (Ashley) Gordon, Michael Rose, Ryan (Britany) Rose, Sara (Brady) May, Howard (Miranda) Gibson, Nancy (Jose) Gibson, Christopher (Daleen) Jenkins and Katrina (Adam) Allredge as well as 17 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Bob (Peach) Gordon and his sister Sharon Hash, as well as longtime friend Trudy Ravet. He was preceded in death by his wife, Roylyn Gordon; daughter Debbie Boddy and brother Jim Gordon.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s honor are suggested to the the APOYO Food Bank, PO Box 194, Ellensburg, WA 98926. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com