Robert "Bill" Ireland

Robert “Bill” Ireland, 85, passed away peacefully at home on June 24, 2022. Lifelong resident of Whatcom County, he graduated from Bellingham High in 1955. He was always active in sports on school teams. A bit of a football star in Fairhaven in his younger years. Golf was his passion in later years and was a par golfer as long as he could physically still play. He was a reef-net fisherman in his younger years on Lummi. Then settled into a career at GP where he retired after 33 years. He married Barbara in 1959 and raised her twin girls with her until Michelle came along in 1963, followed by Kelli in 1965, and finally Darcy in 1969. He loved picnics, taking his girls to Lake Samish, and for ice cream, spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, and trips to the local islands with his family. He was a very talented artist and many family members and local residents have his paintings displayed in their homes. His legacy. He loved music. Many great memories involve him singing songs from his day or that he wrote. He was a great family man who will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara, his step-daughters Tina House and Christie Birman, and daughter Michelle Edwards. He is survived by his daughters Darcy Abbott (Kevin) and Kelli Ireland-Withers (Chris). Grandchildren, Jason Birman (Erin), Justin Edwards (Julia), Chantelle Delahoyde (Justin), Dalton Edwards, Marco Salinas, Christoper Hanowell (Cassie), and Taylor Abbott (Elizabeth), and nine great-grandchildren.