Obituary of Bill Dale Colby

Bill Dale Colby, Artist, Professor

Following a gradual decline in health, and missing his wife Trudi, Bill Dale Colby, Professor emeritus of Art at the University of Puget Sound, died at home on Friday, April 19, 2019. Colby, 92, leaves a rich legacy of dedication to the Northwest arts community. Colby reflected on his lifetime of creative work: “Nature is a guiding force in my work…I love my life and making visual art.” Colby’s life ran the gamut of natural elements:

FIRE--born January 8, 1927, in Beloit, Kansas, Bill worked with his family, Nellie Dell Lawson and Bert Colby and 11 siblings, candling henhouse eggs, while displaying an aptitude for drawing. The flames of WWII propelled him to Germany.  Passion for art was ignited, and Colby earned a B.A., Univ. of Denver, and M.A., Univ. of Illinois. He blazed a trail west and taught jewelry-making in Portland. He married Trudi Bednorz in 1955 and started family life in Tacoma; their love radiated for 63 years.

WATER--Raising four daughters influenced Colby’s creative ebb and flow. The family joined student groups studying art history on travel trips to Europe. Colby’s family remains interested in arts or crafts endeavors. Colby is survived by his sister Betty Fuller (Bob) of Texas, daughters, Andrea Smith (Rodger), Sara Colby (Mike), Lisa Anderson (Anthony), and Celia Zielaskowski (Vance), grand-children, Alexa Johnson (Aaron) and Austin Smith (Carleen), and great grand-daughters Colby Gene and EvaMarie Johnson. 

EARTH--Colby’s canvases adorn walls around the world, in embassies overseas, and collections in Washington, D.C., in local schools, art museums, corporations, libraries, and private homes. Bill was grounded by 33 years of printmaking and art history classes. He contributed to the foundation of the Tacoma Art Museum as an early Director.  Colby rocked the Northwest art community, which called him, “the quietest seminal force in Puget Sound Art.”

AIR--Bill and Trudi traveled widely before and after retirement, on cruises, educational tours, and visiting family. Colby’s air was filled with tree birds, stairways, and energy. Accolades for artistic accomplishment include “Who’s Who in American Art,” “Who’s Who in the West,” and the “Excellence in the Arts” award from Pierce County Arts Commission.

Celebration: Sunday, May 5, 10:00 AM, Kilworth Chapel, UPS campus. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bill Colby Art Scholarship are appreciated. Thank you. https://www.pugetsound.edu/support-puget-sound/special-gifts-to-puget-sound/ or 1-866-Go-Loggers (1-866-465-6443). Mail: Bill Colby Art Scholarship, Office of Donor Relations CMB 1011, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA 98416-1011.

Raise a glass to Bill, "Cheers!"!