A memorial service was held for Bill Green, retired Puget Power Western Division Service Lineman, on July 16, 2010 at the Bremerton Elks Lodge.

Brother Green initiated with Local 77 in September of 1953 and retired from Puget Power in December of 1992.  Puget Sound Energy Service Linemen from Port Townsend, Poulsbo, and Port Orchard saluted Brother Green at the entrance to the Elks Lodge with raised buckets.

Gordon A. "Swede" Erickson, a valued Local 77 member of 63 years, passed away on Sunday, January 31, 2010.  Swede was enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Cass Lake, Minnesota and served as a heavy equipment operator after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  After the war he became an electrical lineman.  He worked on many important projects- the Dew Line in Pt. Barrow, Alaska, the Monorail for Seattle's World Fair, the Everett Boeing 747 Plant and numerous others during his lifetime.  Services will be held at 4 p.m., on July 28, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA.

It is with great sorrow that we report that Brother Steve Koziol passed away on May 30, 2010.  Brother Koziol was a dedicated member, having served as a Shop Steward and Negotiating Committee member at Grant PUD.  

Longtime member Brother George White passed away on Monday, November 16, 2009 as a result of complications from flu.  Brother White was a 32 year member employed by Puget Sound Energy as a Journeyman Wireman and Substation Inspector. 

Long time Local 77 member Brother Bill Woolley passed away suddenly at home on Sunday, July 26, 2009. Bill served in the army, which brought him to Seattle, as a member of Local 77 he worked as a heavy equipment operator. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harborview Burn Center Fund.

There is an online guest book at www.flintofts.com - Mike's wife, Ingrid, would greatly enjoy hearing from those of us who knew Mike. We know you will join us in keeping Ingrid and the rest of Mike's family in your thoughts and prayers.

It is with great regrets and sorrow that Local Union 77 was notified that Brother Richard (Dick) Vaughn passed away. 

Brother Lawrence (Bud) Joseph Ring died January 23, 2009 in Spokane, WA.   He was 79 years old at his time of death. Bud’s lifelong career was as a Journeyman Lineman, building power lines throughout the Northwest and Northern California. He was a proud member of IBEW 77 for over 55 years. Bud is remembered as a great storyteller. He is survived by his 5 children, their spouses and 10 grandchildren. A tribute fund has been set up for the Inland Northwest Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association at http://act.alz.org/goto/ring 910 W. 5th Ave. Ste 256, Spokane, WA 99204

It is with great sorrow that Local 77 received the news that Executive Board Member Tim Wiese died on October 2, 2008 after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Brother Tim Wiese was a Journeyman  Lineman at Snohomish Public Utility District and an active  member  of IBEW for over 28 years. Brother Tim was initiated into IBEW Local 659 on November 1, 1979. Tim served this local in so many ways and was always generous with his time and commitment to Local 77 and its  membership.   Whether serving  as Shop Steward; Negotiating Committee member; Business Representative; Apprentice Instructor; Accident Investigator; and currently as Executive Board Member. Tim was a great friend to many of us at Local 77. The loss of his leadership and his dedication to the well being of the membership of Local 77 will be missed more than any words could express.

God Bless and see ya on the Big Job.

The Tim Wiese Memorial Fund has been established at the Mountain Crest Credit Union (Formerly the Snohomish County PUD). Your contributions can be taken directly to any branch of the Mountain Crest Credit Union or sent here to the Seattle Office.  All checks should be made out to the Tim Wiese Memorial Fund. 

The addresses for the credit union branches are listed below.

Arlington:   3710 168th St NE Suite A108, Arlington, WA  98223

Everett:      1328 Broadway, Everett, WA  98201

Marysville:  8825 34th Ave NE Suite K, Marysville, WA  98271

Monroe:       371 Butler St, Monroe, WA  98272 

Brother Thomas A. Frank Tom Frank, age 62, passed away in Bellingham on July 19, 2008. He worked for 35 years as a lineman for Puget Sound Energy. He enjoyed his golf with his family and friends and was known as "The General" to them. Tom left his legacy on the Sudden Valley Golf Course by building water jug holders, divot boxes, tee holders and his last project finished just a month ago was Cedar Starter Shack. Tom built his family home on Lake Whatcom and enjoyed his family life with them on the lake. 

Brother Robert H. Sowden, born August 21, 1941 in Comox, BC, passed away on May 29, 2008 at his home with his daughters and faithful kitty by his side. He worked for Puget Power as a Journeyman Lineman and made many close friends during his 30 plus years of devoted service. Bob enjoyed sailing, traveling, scuba diving, watching westerns, and spending time with his loving family and friends.

Brother Gary Householter passed away on Monday, June 9, 2008.  He was a longtime member of Local 77 working for Asplundh Tree Expert Service.    

Journey Tree Trimmer Michael A. Fritz passed away June 4, 2008 after open heart surgery.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Brother Fritz's widow Carol and their 3 children. 

Michael J. Wilson (Mike), 65, passed away at home on Friday after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. He served in the US Navy and retired from power line work in 2006. He belonged to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and has enjoyed many long lasting friendships. The family gives special thanks to Ron Lacroix and John Horrocks for adding richness to his life and his final days. Mike is survived by all six of his children, ten grandchildren, one great grandchild, and five of his six siblings. Mike was a master with the BBQ, enjoyed listening to the Blues, took pleasure in feeding his resident birds, and liked to drive the back roads. A coffee connoisseur, he spent most Sunday mornings visiting daughter Kathy as she worked as a barista. He was interested in old sports cars, airplanes, battleships, and history. He loved to tell his life stories and his memory was spectacular. He was a gift to all of us.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Thomas Pattyson (Junior) on Saturday, April 19, 2008. George died from lung cancer at the age of 76. He was born at Oxbow, Saskatchewan on April 7, 1932 and was one of 11 children of Hazle and George Payyson (Senior). George got his Journeyman Lineman ticket in Regina, married Shirley Maier and moved the family to British Columbia, settling in Vernon in 1963. George worked as a lineman for many years, was proud of his prairie farming roots and working-class background. He was known and will be remembered for his outgoing personality, booming voice and engaging story-telling ability.  

Brother Billy G. Knutz passed away unexpectedly March 26, 2008.  He was a Lineman/Serviceman for Ferry County PUD, Billy leaves behind a widow and two sons.  Friends of Billy Knutz have established two “restricted gifts to minors” accounts for Billy’s sons William G. Knutz III and Andrew G. Knutz.  If you are interested in helping these two young men, deposits may be made to their accounts at any Bank of America Branch. 

It is with sorrow that we report Brother Phil Hardin passed away on March 22, 2008.  Phil was a member of Local 1547 and was currently working out of Local 1249 located in Rochester, N.Y...  While working for Hawkeye Construction, (not L.E. Meyers/Hawkeye), Brother Hardin was involved in a serious contact accident and has been hospitalized at Strong Medical Center. Many of our members worked with Brother Hardin at PSE, Avista, and in Construction. Brother Hardin and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. There is a fund set up for donations:  Phil Hardin/Peggy Smith, Acct #1365628, ALASKAUSA FCU, PO Box 196613, Anchorage, AK 99519

Brother Gerald Partlow passed away on November 18, 2007.  He was a longtime Line Foreman when he retired from Puget Sound Energy.

Brother Mark Silverhorn passed away on September 19, 2007; Brother Silverhorn was a long time member of Local 77 and was a Journey Lineman at Metro.

Brother Erik Larsen passed away on September 16, 2007; Brother Larsen was a Groundman in our construction Unit, and had also previously worked at Metro.

It is with great sadness we report the death of Bob Smith, Avista Journey Lineman.  Bob passed away on May 31, 2007 when his bucket truck had mechanical failure as he was performing the Annual Egg Drop at the Hiawatha Elementary School.  Bob was a 20 year member of Local 77 and will be greatly missed.  Our thought sand prayers are with Bob's family.

Brother Harold "Bud" Hall, Sr. passed away November 23, 2007, Bud was a longtime member of Local 77.

It is with great sadness we report to you Brother Jake Booth, who worked for Kootenai Electric Cooperative, was killed October 23, 2007, while working on power lines.  Jake was an Apprentice Lineman and had been with Kootenai Electric Cooperative since 2005.  He was 23 years old.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Ashley, and their young son, Coltan. This is the first time in the history of Kootenai Electric Cooperative they have experienced an accident of this magnitude involving an employee.  A memorial fund for Brother Booth's Family has been established at the Global Credit Union.  Donations may be made at any Global Credit Union Branch in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and Post Falls.

It is with great sadness we report Brent Larwick, Fifth Step Line Apprentice, was involved in a fatal accident on April 30, 2007.  Brent was working for Potelco, Inc. at the Bangor Naval Base in Kitsap County, WA  our thoughts and prayers are with Brent's family. 

It is with great sadness we report James C. Hutchins passed away on March 3, 2007 due to an auto accident.  Jim was a long time member of the Construction Bargaining Unit and had also worked for Metro.  His family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Local Chapter of either the Boy Scouts of America or the Girl Scouts of America.  Services for Jim have been concluded.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family.

It is with great sadness we report on July 12, 2006, an accident occured involving an Asplundh Tree Expert crew. Rickie Yates, Journeyman Tree Trimmer, suffered a fatal fall while working on a contract dock crew for Snohomish County P.U.D.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Rickie's family.

It is with great sadness we report to you Brother Tony Haener was fatally injured on March 1, 2006; Brother Haener was a Fourth Step Apprentice Lineman working for Potelco, Inc. at the time of the accident. 

Willard (Bill) Johnson has passed away.  Bill was a Business Representative for Local 77 for more than twenty-years.  He was also Mike Johnson's father. Our thoughts are with the Johnson family.

Sadly, it has been reported to us Brother Mike Johnson has passed away.  Mike was a Business Representative for Local 77 for many years.  Mike will be missed!

Remo Armstrong, long time Local 77 member and past employee of both Metro and Construction, passed away on September 14, 2005.  Brother Armstrong was a retired Journeyman Lineman and a member of Local 77 for more than 55-years.

John Tomac passed away in Redmond, WA on August 11, 2005.  John initiated with Local 77 in October 1972.  He was an active member holding positions as Shop Steward, Unit Chair, Negotiating Committee Member, JATC, and Executive Board. John will be missed by the Brotherhood.  Donations may be made to M.A.D.D. (Mother's Against Drunk Drivers), the M.S. Society, or to a charity of your choice.

Brother Edward Andersen passed away on August 8, 2005 in Roseburg, OR.   Brother Andersen was retired from Asplundh Tree Experts.  Donations may be made in his honor to the American Heart Association. 

It is with great sadness we report to you Brother Rob Gagnat has passed away.  Rob was a Journeyman Meterman at Seattle City Light, and an active member for more than twenty-years.  Rob served on the PAC Central Committee, was a Shop Steward, a delegate to the King County Labor Council, and to the Washington State Labor Council.  Rob was very dedicated to Local 77 and we will miss him greatly. 

It is with great sadness we report that Brother Richard Eastman, Journeyman Lineman, was in a fatal accident while working out of IBEW Local 47 for Par Electric in Palm Springs, CA.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Richard's family.  Donations can be made through the Brotherhood Fund.

Brother Richard ‘Dick’ Rogers passed away April 15, 2008. He was a dedicated IBEW member since 1957. Many knew Dick and worked with him over the years. In 1978 Dick became Local 77’s Business Manager and in 1981 he became the International Representative. Dick was a great asset to this Local and will surely be missed by many.  

60 year member Homer L. Egland passed away June 9, 2008; Brother Egland would have been 95 on June 23, 2008.