Passed away peacefully on September 30, 2022 at the age of 92. Born in Moiliili, Oahu on April 1, 1930, Bill was the first son of Ichiro Nishimura and Todome Adachi. At 2 years old, the family moved to a farm in Makua, Waianae. Bill attended Waianae Elementary School, Kawananakoa Middle School and graduated from Farrington High School as a straight A student and Sports Editor in 1948. During his senior year at a dance, Bill met Edna Okazaki who would later become his wife. After graduating high school and determined to obtain a college degree, Bill left Hawaii to enroll in the pre-dental program at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Although he worked several part-time jobs, he was unable to meet the financial requirements of the Dental program and instead changed his major to Microbiology and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1952. With hopes of pursuing a teaching career in science, Bill moved to California.
Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1953 Bill was assigned to a dental clinic in Korea during the Korean War and soon promoted to Staff Sergeant in charge of the clinic. In 1954, Bill married his high school sweetheart Edna and had one child. Honorably discharged in 1955, Bill did an internship at L.A. County Health Department and received a federal grant to pursue a Master's Degree in Public Health Microbiology from UC Berkeley. He worked as a microbiologist and was later promoted to Laboratory Director at Fairview State Hospital, Costa Mesa, California. After 33 years, Bill retired at the age of 60. After Edna passed away in 1997, Bill married his second wife Sumiko in 2000. Bill's favorite pastimes included tennis, golf, ballroom dancing, playing cards and travel. After Sumiko passed away in 2015, Bill returned to Hawaii in 2018 to be closer to his daughter and son-in-law, and was able to reconnect with classmates from Farrington High School, attend church and actively participate in activities at Hawaii Kai Retirement Community. He enjoyed all the family gatherings with good local food.
Bill is predeceased by his first wife Edna, second wife Sumiko, brother Herb and sister Leatrice. He is survived by his daughter Stephanie, son-in-law Gerald and sisters Doris and Jean. As a devoted husband and father, Bill will be remembered with love and appreciation for his kindness, gentle spirit, and generosity. Private services were held.
Arrangements Provided By:
Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC
