Carl William "Billy" James

Carl William “Billy” James, 86 of Everett Wa. Passed away June 1, 2018 in Everett, Washington after a brief illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Michael Catholic Church, 2223 Indian Hills Drive in Sioux City, with the Rev. Peter Nguyen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, with the family present 2 to 5 p.m. and a vigil service with Rosary at 4 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Born September 16, 1931 in Denver, Colorado, son of Tony & Lucinda James of Canon City, Colorado.

After graduating High School in 1955 Carl joined the Air Force and served our country during the Korean war. Carl then attended college at the University of Colorado and graduated with a degree in Political Science.

Carl married Anne Neimer on June 9, 1959, in Greeley Colorado where their son Kurt was born. They then spent a few years in Lander, Wyoming where their daughter, Anne Marie was born.

In 1966, they moved to Sioux City, where both had long careers as educators with the Sioux City School District. Carl taught Science and Math for 37 years in the district and retired in 1995. Many of his students looked up to him as a mentor. He enjoyed challenging his students to share their knowledge and learn from each other in his classroom and he often enrolled his more gifted students in assisting those who were struggling with learning to help each other. He would say both students would learn from each other in those interactions.

After retiring from teaching, Carl headed the campaign to elect his wife, Anne to the Sioux City School Board. Through their combined efforts and collaboration with the school board and the city a sales tax to fund new schools was achieved. Both Carl and Anne remained very active in the school district for many years after retirement. Carl was also very active politically and spent time with President Obama during the Iowa caucuses in 2008. Carl and Anne also hosted Joe Biden during the 2012 elections at their home for a fundraising dinner. Carl was very active after retirement enjoyed spending time at the Lewis & Clark interpretive center as a volunteer for many years.

Carl enjoyed cooking for his family, often hosting dinner for family and friends which usually included his famous family recipe spaghetti. He also enjoyed going for daily walks with his beloved dog, Mulligan, who was his constant and steady companion. In the fall of 2015 he moved from Sioux City to Edmonds Washington to be in closer to his daughter, Anne Marie and her family. He later purchased a home in Everett WA, where he resided until his death. He hosted several dinners in his Everett home and enjoyed travel and spending time with his family.

Carl is survived by a son, Kurt James of Portland Ore.; daughter, Anne Marie DiGiacomo-Edwards (Jean Wenzel) of Seattle Wash.; six grandchildren, Nicole (Robert) Auringer, Madison and Landon Edwards, Charlotte, Teagan and Meghan James, and two great-grandchildren, Hazel and Juniper Auringer.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Lucinda and his wife, Anne James.

Memorials may be made in his name to Sioux City Education Association Scholarship Fund.