William Roy Rumpza

Bill of Puyallup, Washington, passed away April 9, 2022.  He was born on the Rumpza family farm in Webster, South Dakota in 1930 to Jacob and Valeria Rumpza.  After high school, Bill went on to serve  in the United States Navy for 4 years as a ship radio operator.  After his discharge from the Navy, he attended college at South Dakota State University obtaining a degree in engineering.  Bill built a career with Boeing as an aerospace engineer.  He was involved in the early NASA space flights and was directly involved in the design and building of the Lunar Rover Vehicle.    

Bill married Marieta (nee Bechtold) in 1955. Bill and Marieta remained married for 64 years until her passing in 2019. He is survived by 8 children: Denise, Patricia, Deona, David, Dean, Michael, Pamela,  and Billy; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; sisters  Marcie Jorgenson and Adeline Tracy both of Webster, South Dakota.

Bill enjoyed fishing, camping and woodworking.   Bill was a DIY enthusiast and no home project was too big or too small.   Bill and Marieta raised purebred Charolais cattle for many years and were members of the Charolais Cattle Association.  Bill and Marieta also enjoyed travelling.  Destinations included Australia, Hawaii, the coasts of Washington and Oregon, and a pilgrimage to Europe.   

Bill was devout in his Catholic faith and valued his many dear friends at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Buckley.  Bill was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus organization.  He remained active in his church community his entire life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St Aloysius Catholic Church ,  211  Mason Ave.  Buckley WA 98321,  with memo notation  for St Vincent DePaul Society on behalf of Bill Rumpza.   A Rosary will be held Wednesday April 20th at Weeks’ Funeral Home in Buckley.  Memorial Mass and reception will be held Thursday April 21st at St Aloysius Catholic Church in Buckley.  Private inurnment will be at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Roy Rumpza, please visit our floral store.