William George Slonecker

September 22, 1930 – April 7, 2023

The world lost a friendly and colorful soul on April 7, 2023 when Bill Slonecker peacefully passed away in his sleep at a Dallas, TX hospital.

Bill was the first of 4 amazing Slonecker kids who grew up in Bremerton, WA during WWII. He sold newspapers at the naval shipyard as a boy, shined some shoes, and sold bags of peanuts at ballgames.

Bill graduated at age 16. He then worked as a Civilian Electronics Technician at the shipyard which later qualified him for a job as an apprentice at Bonneville Power. Bill also served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Staff Sgt. He also took night classes to earn his Master’s Degree in Education from Oregon State University. In the mid 1960’s he began teaching electronics at what is now Chemeketa Community College.

In 1952 Bill married Jeri Wright and together they raised 4 children in south Salem, Oregon. They were charter members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and were very involved with its growing congregation. Bill also taught night school for apprentice electricians and enjoyed coaching kids in Judson Little/Senior League in the 70’s and early 80’s.

Bill was a kind, caring, and supportive father to his kids, including their friends, and offered guidance and encouragement in all aspects of their lives.

Following his divorce in 1976, Bill met Kathy Pavelek and they married in 1979. When he was 50 years old Bill walked across Ireland, taking only a small knapsack and bringing back amazing stories of his travels.

Bill was a gifted teacher and a strong advocate for students. He taught electronics initially but also evolved into teaching English and Humanities, Math and Robotics, and had a real knack for making even complicated concepts and methods easy for others to understand. He wanted students to learn HOW to think as opposed to telling them what they should think.

Bill loved the Oregon coast. While at Chemeketa he created a unique course called “Oceans” that explored the interrelations of ocean science, marine life, and coastal communities/culture, and for which he later received national recognition.

In the mid-80’s Bill took an interim position at Richland CC in Dallas, TX and liked it so much that they decided to move there. Among other things, he created his “Dallas” class, weaving Dallas culture, its people and current events, with its history, climate and the Arts. He gave city tours on the weekends to students and the public to open eyes to the gems that make Dallas so unique.

Bill was an avid learner and liked to share the interesting things he knew and experienced in his life. He was a fountain of wit and good humor, a poet, an awesome storyteller (mostly honest), and he could liven up any occasion. He loved just walking around and talking to strangers and he was contagious that way. Bill loved the Texas State Fair and he and Kathy were regulars at the annual Bob Wills Festival in Turkey, TX each April.

Bill was always involved with his church and taught Sunday school to both teens and adults until just recently. He was known for baking literally thousands of chocolate chip cookies to encourage conversation after worship services. Bill also enjoyed volunteering at a food pantry in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas.

Bill was preceded in death by his siblings Chuck, John, and Ann Matthews. He is survived by his loving wife Kathy, his children, Bill (Mary) Slonecker, Leslie (John, pre-deceased), Carrie (Chuck Merriam), Keith (Wendy) Slonecker, and stepson Dean Pavelek, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

One of his favorite sayings towards the end of his life was “Shed no tears for me, for I am where I should be.” He will be missed greatly by us all. Rest in Peace Dad.

There will be a memorial service held in late May at his church in Dallas. In August a celebration of his life will be held in Oregon. Donations in his name may be made to Central Lutheran Church on Easton Drive in Dallas, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.