William "Bill" C. Lynch III

William “Bill” Charles Lynch III died December 17, 2024, at 4:20pm at his home after a long illness. He was affectionately known as “Cheezeburger” or simply, the “Cheeze.”

Bill was born September 20, 1946, in San Francisco, CA, to Edith Backus Burroughs and William Charles Lynch II. He grew up in Hollywood. He had a free-spirited, unrestrained youth, which led him to Catholic school and Shattuck Military School in Minnesota. He came back to the Seattle area and spent time with his Backus family, the Lucky 7, eventually graduating from Sammamish High School in 1964.

Bill took every art class he could find at junior colleges across the state, and graduated from Burnley School of Art on Capitol Hill in Seattle. Bill settled in Whatcom County in the late 1970s and opened his first sign shop in Fairhaven, and later on Elm Street. Cheezeburger Signs was a special place. Bill was a master craftsman, specializing in precise hand-lettering, building wooden signs, and exquisite gold leaf. The “shop” was a creative gathering space for customers and friends alike.

In the 1980s, Bill attended Pilchuck Glass School, where he learned the art of bending neon and pumping gas. He was enamored by the bright lights and incorporated neon into his sign repertoire. Businesses across the region showcase his signs and artistic legacy.

Bill loved classic cars, live music, golf, and spending time in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. He was a popular guy, a regular at happy hours, and enjoyed a good IPA. He was known for rowdy parties out in the county, Bloodsucker Halloween bashes, and infamous Christmas parties at the shop.

Bill was a fun-loving, easy-going, cool guy. Everyone who spent time with Bill enjoyed his presence, his quirky sense of humor, and his positive spirit. He made people feel good. Bill had a bohemian life full of art, unconventional tendencies, and eccentric friends. He was a loving son, father, and husband.

Bill is survived by his wife, Kerri Kuljis; daughters, Sarah and Mollie Lynch; stepdaughters, Skye Petras and Celeste Bailey; and grandsons, Austin, Oscar, Dusty, Logan, and Gavin.

Donations can be made in Bill’s memory to Whatcom Hospice or the scholarship fund at Pilchuck Glass School.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18th at 1pm at Broadway Hall (1300 Broadway, Bellingham), followed by a reception ending at 5pm.