William Alan (Bill) Tuinstra, resident of Methow, passed away at age 68 on Aug. 11, 2020, at Jamie’s Place in Winthrop, following a long battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Bill was born on Jan. 15, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, and was the son of Lois and Harry Tuinstra. He graduated from Illiana Christian High School, worked as a power plant operator at Martin Drake Power Station in Colorado Springs, and concluded his career as a Wells Dam Senior Operator for Douglas County PUD. Bill communicated worldwide as a ham radio operator under call sign KG7OY. He taught classes in amateur radio and served as a technician for the Methow Valley Communications District. He liked to say if he didn’t know how to fix something, he could “figure it out.” Bill enjoyed hiking and cross country skiing, gardening and a variety of music, particularly the Eagles.
Bill is survived by his wife, Dianna, with whom he lived for 15 years in Methow; a son, Matthew, and his wife Samantha; a daughter, Elizabeth Clevenger and her husband Joseph; a step-daughter, Amanda Tremblay and her partner Joseph; brother, Robert Tuinstra, of Dyer, Indiana; sister, Janet Hertz, of Frankfort, Illinois; and six grandchildren. He was beloved of many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and everyone who cared for him for 2 1/2 years at Jamie’s Place.
Due to isolation practices, services will be announced at a later date.
