Stephen Lee Bolles

July 29, 1944 to November 16, 2013

Stephen Lee Bolles was born in Wadena, Minnesota to parents Leon and Dorothy Bolles. Steve grew up helping on his family’s dairy farm. He drove a tractor by age 6 and owned his own tractor by age 9. By age 11, the family moved to Vashon Island, where Steve and his brother, Blair, grew up and graduated from high school. Steve joined the Navy and served 4 years as a torpedoman on the submarine USS Sculpin. After the Navy, Steve was accepted into the electrical apprenticeship. As part of IBEW Local 46, Steve worked as an electrician and later as superintendent on many jobs. In the summer, Steve would visit friends in Alaska, who flew him in their Cessna to go fishing. Steve got the flying bug and bought a plane of his own. He flew his Cessna 182 for over 22 years. When Steve retired, he moved from Vashon Island, where he had lived 44 years, to Anacortes, where he lived for 15 years. If you knew Steve, you know fishing wasn’t his only hobby.

He liked to camp, hunt and hike and also to cook: he was a great cook. Many a breakfast was cooked at the “Ellisport Hotel” on Vashon by Steve for his friends and neighbors who were there from the night before!

For his entire adult life, Steve was always there to lend a helping hand. He did electrical work for almost everyone he knew. But he also helped build houses, work on cars, plumbing, machinery, boats—you name it.

His price: “How ‘bout a cup of coffee?” He never took money for helping out.

Steve was a loving husband, a devoted father and a loving brother to all his friends. We lost Steve to cancer November 16, 2013. Steve’s passing has left a giant hole in our hearts and he is sorely missed. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jeffrey. Steve leaves behind his wife Susan, son Andy Bolles (Suzette), daughter Joelene Jumper (Jason), stepsons Jesse Mayor, Michael Mayor (Corinne), and Kyle Mayor (Amber). He also leaves a brother, Blair Bolles (Kay), nine grandchildren, many loving cousins and many, many good friends.

There will be a memorial service for Steve on January 11, 2014 at the Cedar Valley Grange Hall, 20526 52nd Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA, starting at 1:00.

Donations may be made in Steve’s name to the American Cancer Society.

Paid Obituary.