Obituary of William Melvin Sarver

William (Bill) Melvin (Mel) Sarver, 80, of Tacoma, Washington died Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at an adult care facility in Tacoma after struggling with Parkinson’s for several years. Bill was born in Luverne, Minnesota on October 25th, 1928 to Claude and Willa Sarver. He was the youngest of two brothers and two sisters, who all precede him in death. His childhood was spent in Iowa until he and his mother moved to Tacoma, during WWII, when Bill was a teenager. He attended Lincoln High School in Tacoma and had a job at the Northern Pacific Hospital scrubbing operating rooms. Bill met his future bride Barbara Valli at Lincoln, but before starting his senior year he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp and served mostly in Guam and the Philippines for four years. When he was discharged the U.S. Army Air Corp. had become the U.S. Air Force. Bill and Barbara were married on August 26th, 1949 in Tacoma, Washington. Bill attended Bates Vocational Institute to earn his G.E.D. and studied engineering. His first job was at Bremerton Naval Shipyard and moved onto several jobs including Star Iron and Steel, and Kaiser in Tacoma and then went to Pacific Car and Foundry in Renton, now known as PACCAR. He started out as an engineer and ended his working career as a Quality Assurance Manager for the Renton division of PACCAR. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. #174, a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and also the Masonic Lodge #235. After retirement he built a shop at the back of their home to pursue his hobbies of woodworking, metal sculpture, and trying his hand at painting landscapes. He enjoyed his hobbies until he no longer could do them due to his illness. Cruising became the “only way to travel” and Bill and Barbara enjoyed many cruises to many destinations. On their 50th Anniversary they enjoyed all their family on a cruise to Mexico. Bill also played Santa Clause for a number of years at the Narrows Glen retirement facility at their annual Christmas party. He was a great Santa Clause! During Bill and Barbara’s engagement Barbara was concerned because she didn’t know how to cook. Bill assured his future wife that he did and not to worry. Shortly after being married Barbara asked Bill to watch some pork chops on the stove, while she did something else. He watched them alright. He watched them burn! Barbara quickly figured out Bill’s culinary experience was limited. Bill’s family was always amused, during his decline in the last few years, regardless of how he was feeling that day, if any good looking female health care worker or aid came to talk to him, he lit right up and smiled and talked as if nothing was wrong with him. Bill is survived by his wife Barbara of 60 years, his eldest son David of Federal Way, and his grandchildren Heather Sarver of Burien and Michael Sarver of Los Angeles and extended family Kathy and Chuck Herrmann of Kent. Bill’s youngest son Steven preceded him in death. The family wishes to thank Ruby and Larry Sant for Bill’s compassionate and quality care over the last three years of his life and also the Franciscan Hospice care the last two months. Services will be held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 1:30 pm. Bill will be buried there next to his youngest son Steven. Edwards Memorial Services in Tacoma is handling all arrangements. No flowers are requested. Any memorial donations are suggested to a favorite charity, Parkinson organization or Franciscan Hospice.