Willard J. Filion, DDS

Dr. Willard J. Filion passed away at Swedish Hospital-Cherry Hill, in Seattle, Washington, on February 1, 2018, of various maladies associated with the aging process. His immediate family was with him during these past few days.

Willard was born in Gregory, SD, on December 21, 1930, to Lester L. Filion and Laura E. Filion. When he was two years old, the family moved to Eastern Washington, and in 1936 the family settled in the Grand Coulee Dam area, where his father found employment. Willard graduated from Grand Coulee High School with the class of 1949. He was active in student government and played on all four of the major sports during those days. These were very happy days for him, as he developed many friendships which lasted throughout his life.

After his high school days, he joined the U.S. Navy for four years, serving primarily in the Pacific area during the Korean War. He was assigned as an electrician to the aircraft carrier USS Princeton for nearly 3 years. Again, he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Navy and he and his buddies climbed Mt. Fuji and participated in many local activities in Japan. Upon discharge, he spent a year in Eastern Washington, reacquainting himself with his parents and his brothers and their families. During this time, he attended Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, Washington, and played on the school baseball team.

In 1957, he married Linda Beisner and they moved to Seattle, where Willard began attending the University of Washington undergraduate school. After graduation, he was admitted to the University School of Dentistry, where he graduated in 1961.

Dr. Filion opened a dental practice in the Tukwila, Washington area, where he practiced for some 53 years. He enjoyed his dental work and had many patients who became his best friends, including a number of old friends from Eastern Washington who settled in the Seattle area. He had many stories to tell "on the thing, on it." He greatly appreciated his "all everything" assistant in his practice, Patti Carmada. She managed the office and was an assistant while he did the dental work. He always said, "When Patti retires, I retire."

He is survived by his daughter, Holly Skinner, her sons, Kyle and Jeff, and their father, Jim, all of Atlanta, Georgia; and Willard's son Rik (Malaty Lim) Filion of southern California, and son Scot Filion of Seattle. He is also survived by his brother, Lester (Virginia), of Seattle, and brother, Jerry (Barbara) of Issaquah, Washington. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who knew him affectionately as "Uncle Willy."

A special thank you to his nephew, Craig Filion, who devoted many hours to his care and assistance at doctor appointments over the past few months.

At his request, there will be no services.