G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr

A life of craft, teaching, and ministry Bill Elliott’s story is one of steady craftsmanship and a persistent calling to teach and serve. He began his professional life in technical drafting and design, learning the discipline of precise drawings and the patience of iterative problem solving. Those early years—at Westinghouse and later at Los Alamos—taught him how to translate complex engineering ideas into clear, usable artifacts. The same care for clarity would later shape his teaching and ministry: lesson plans that fit a child’s attention span, puppet scripts that land a theological truth, and sound mixes that let a worship leader’s voice carry without distraction. Bridging two worlds Bill never treated his secular work and ministry as separate compartments. While managing CADD labs and teaching vocational students, he was also building puppet ministries and leading children’s programs on Wednesday nights. The classroom and the church stage became complementary arenas: the curriculum design skills he honed for vocational students translated into structured, repeatable children’s lessons; his AV and technical know how made him the go to person for live events and touring ministry logistics. Wherever he went—whether a college classroom, a national lab, or a youth camp—Bill brought a teacher’s heart and a technician’s attention to detail. Teaching as vocation Teaching is the thread that ties Bill’s life together. From vocational credentials in the late 1980s to a master’s in theology in 2010, his education reflects a commitment to both technical excellence and spiritual formation. In the classroom he demanded high standards and clear outcomes; in ministry he expected volunteers to show up prepared and children to leave with a memorable truth. He mentors generously, believing that the best teams are built by honest feedback and steady encouragement. Events, puppets, and presence Bill’s ministry is tactile and theatrical. Puppet ministries became a signature method—simple, visual, and deeply effective for communicating spiritual truths to children. He also mastered the technical side of worship: multi channel mixing boards, stage logistics, and the pressure of live sound at youth camps and concerts. Those moments—when a sound check goes right, when a puppet skit lands, when a child repeats a lesson—are the quiet victories that define his ministry. A later chapter in software leadership In the 2000s and 2010s Bill expanded into full stack software development and leadership. He led teams at McKesson, U Haul, and ultimately at the Washington State Department of Health. His technical leadership combined with his teaching instincts: he mentored junior engineers, translated stakeholder needs into technical requirements, and kept teams focused on delivering value. He retired in April 2024, closing a chapter of public service work while leaving a legacy of systems and people he helped develop. What holds it together Across decades and roles, Bill’s life is defined by two commitments: to do the work well and to bring others along. Whether drafting a technical drawing, writing a lesson plan, mixing sound for a worship set, or mentoring a developer, he shows up with curiosity, patience, and a practical optimism. His story is not about dramatic pivots but about steady accumulation—skills, relationships, and a reputation for reliability. That steady work has produced a life that is both technically competent and pastorally generous.