Bill Munro

 

William Francis Munro was born December 23^rd, 1894 – a “Christmas baby”. He was the third child born to Alexander and Janet Munro; and he was named after Janet’s youngest brother, William Francis Montgomery. Bill’s early childhood was divided between Bainbridge Island and Victoria, British Columbia where his father worked as a stonemason on the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, and other landmarks. In the spring of 1900, the family returned to the Island and Bill soon started school at the one room Crystal Springs schoolhouse. He graduated from eighth grade in about 1908 and he worked with his brother, Duncan, running the family store.

He served in the Navy during World War I as a Quartermaster on the submarine chaser “USSC 292”. It was one of twenty-five submarine chasers built at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton. SC292 was commissioned March 27^th, 1918, and was assigned to the Third Naval District, patrolling along the east coast of the U.S.

One of the few war stories Bill told was of coming around the horn of South America. He had bought a very large pot encased in woven rope-like macramé, as a souvenir. Going around the horn was a very rough passage and so he tied the pot to the mast in the crow’s nest to keep it from breaking. The pot made it all the way home and remained in the family for many years.

After the war, he worked as a painter at the Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. He married Agnes Daniel on December 15^th, 1920 and they soon moved to Los Angeles where Bill started his career as a painter for the City of Los Angeles – part of a crew painting fire stations and other city buildings. Because of that job security he was able to work through the Great Depression. That experience made a lasting impression on his children, Billie and Cecelia, about the importance of saving money, and family security.

Bill was a much-loved and admired brother. He was a calm and wise confidante, a step removed from family events and politics. He and his family visited Bainbridge for long vacations in the summer, bringing with them boxes of oranges and grapefruit to share. Family members who found themselves in California always stayed with Bill and Agnes, and relied on them to make that time in their lives and travels a little easier.

 

 

 

 

His nephew, Ralph, recalled:

The one thing that I remember most is from my earliest memories. Every Christmas season, a few days before Christmas, a box of dates would arrive from Uncle Bill. Dates were such a delicacy. I liked the ones that were stuffed with walnut meat. I can still taste them when I think of it.

Bill was a multi-faceted “Gentle” man. He and Agnes were beautiful ballroom dancers, and they frequented the historic Mayflower Ballroom on Saturday evenings. He loved to garden and was proud of his giant Dahlias. One Christmas, on his own, he bought blouses for all the women and girls in the family. It was a very touching gesture. Bill loved Agnes very much and indulged her passion for writing poetry and short stories, some of which were published in magazines of the day.

He would tell stories of growing up on Bainbridge Island, boating and swimming in Puget Sound, digging for “Gooey Duck” clams, exploring the woods and the Native American Indians living there, and just how dangerous raccoons could be.

When Bill died on Valentine’s day 1972, at age 77, it was way too soon. He was the first of the “Munro kids” to pass away. Agnes followed on January 2^nd, 1998.

 

Special thanks to Patricia Wiegert, Donna Garrett and Vicki Munro for their contributions to ‘Bill’s Story’.