Obituary: William Francis Suss

William Francis Suss

Memorial services for William Francis Suss will be held Saturday, April 25 at 1 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 9055 Atlin Drive, Juneau, Alaska, 99801. A reception will follow at 3170 Noel Ave in Juneau.

He was born in Tacoma, Washington, on Aug. 6, 1936, to William Fredrick and Louise B (Kornell) Suss. He passed away Aug. 29, 2025, in Juneau at the age of 89.

After graduating from Bellermine High School, Bill worked his way through college. He was passionate about fishing, boating and wildlife. He worked for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banding waterfowl on Amchitka Island, and spent six seasons as a commercial fisherman in Chignik, Alaska. He got his BA degree attending Olympia Jr. College and Eastern Washington University, and in 1968 earned a master’s degree in math and psychology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma.

On July 3, 1965, Bill married the love of his life, Eva Margorie Ireland, in Bremerton, Washington. They celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2025 with all their family.

Educating young people became a career for Bill. He taught math and psychology to junior high students in St. Helens, Oregon, and Federal Way, Washington. He further connected with students as a coach, leading teams in wrestling, football and track.

Bill continued his career in education as vice principal at two junior high schools in Federal Way.  While serving there he was called to be superintendent of schools in Klawock, Alaska, moving his family to the state they would come to love. He finished his career as principal at Glacier Valley Elementary School in Juneau.

Bill and Eva were snowbirds for 20 years, traveling to Sun City West, Arizona, every winter. They enjoyed the warm weather and hosting friends on the patio every evening.

Summers in Juneau gave Captain Bill an opportunity to share his love of fishing and his boat with family and friends.

Bill is survived by his wife, Eva; sons Thomas Suss and Richard Suss; daughter Karen Pennock and her husband Enrique Huerta; grandsons Steven Pennock and Joshua (Sabrina Kenney) Pennock; granddaughter Alyssa Suss Pierson; brothers Robert (Patt) Suss, David Suss, and the Rev. Thomas Suss.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Steven Suss, sister Judy Gunnell and grandson Brandon Michael Suss.