William "Bill" Arnold Sluman

Mass of Christian Burial for William Arnold “Bill” Sluman will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Ellensburg with inurnment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.  Mr. Sluman, a longtime resident of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on Thursday, January 27, 2022.

Bill was born on January 3, 1930 in Billings, Montana, the youngest of three children born to William Andrew and Mary Evangeline (Gagen) Sluman.  The impacts of the Great Depression caused the family to leave Reed’s Point, Montana, and head west. They settled in Arlington, Washington, where Bill made many happy memories growing up on a farm. He attended and graduated from Arlington High School. He was an outstanding athlete and received a scholarship to Junior College and graduated with a degree.

Bill married his childhood sweetheart, the love of his life, Beverly Jean Daniel, in 1950, beginning a life-long romance marked by love, happiness and total devotion to one another and to their family. Their married life began in Everett, Washington, where they had three children, Theresa, Leslie, and Dan.

Bill's lifelong career with JC Penney moved the young family to Tacoma where they lived the American Dream common for the 1950’s. Starting as a management trainee, he was promoted time and time again, and was chosen to launch a new concept JC Penney store at the Tacoma Mall. He was nationally recognized three times for his sustained leadership and managed numerous store locations across Washington state.  Bill ultimately finished his career in Ellensburg, retiring in 1990.

Following his retirement, Bill and Beverly began “living their dreams” and explored the world. They went on many cruises traveling to Rome, The Holy Lands, Turkey and Alaska just to name a few. Bill was very athletic and played competition handball and tennis.  He continued playing tennis daily until he was 84.  He was a longtime member of the Elk’s, Rotary, Toastmasters, and Kiwanis. He was a very active parishioner of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, serving for many years as a volunteer, caring for the building, grounds and Holy Cross Cemetery.

Bill is survived by his children - Theresa and husband Peter Gerdtsson of Anchorage, Alaska; Leslie and husband John Sullivan of Seattle and William Daniel “Dan” Sluman of Seattle; grandchildren Danielle Lee Sluman and Jared Andrew Sluman, both also of Seattle.  His niece Alex Styve of Longview, Washington and nephew Gregory and wife Rebecca Meyer of Greenville, Tennessee also survive.  He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Beverly, in 2012 as well as his sister Elaine Meyer and brother Robert Sluman.

Bill loved the Ellensburg community and so, to that end, memorial contributions in his honor are suggested to any local charity that betters the quality of life in and for the residents of Ellensburg.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Bill and his family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com

PLEASE NOTE: (January 11, 2024) -- The recording of this service has been archived and removed from our server.  If you wish to obtain a copy of this recording on a thumb drive, please contact our office.