Paul Floyd Werner was born May 18, 1949 in Everett and raised in Lake Stevens, WA his entire childhood. He died May 11, 2024 in Olympia, WA, one week before his 75th birthday. Paul was the youngest of 5 boys born to Floyd and Lillian Kloes Werner.
Always active in sports, Paul lettered in high school basketball, football and track. His family was very active in the Ebeneezer Lutheran Church in Lake Stevens. Paul played basketball for 2 years at Everett Community College, where he met his wife, Joanne Ness Werner. Paul graduated from the University of Washington in 1974 with a degree in History. In college he started working at Everett Weyerhaeuser Mill and ended his career at the University of Washington as a truck driver.
In the mid 1970’s Paul, Joanne and other family members bought a Marysville apartment complex, where Paul did much of the ongoing maintenance. In 1988 Paul and Joanne moved from Everett to Marysville and lived there 13 years. In 2001 the family relocated to Bellingham where they lived for 23 years, and shared their home with Joanne’s parents, Wilma and Owen Ness, for 13 years until their deaths. He truly adored his 2 granddaughters, Madilyn and Penelope Werner. Paul and Joanne relocated to Olympia, May 2, 2024 to be near their son, Tom and daughter-in-law Hallie. Paul died just over a week later on May 11, 2024. He was extremely happy to be close to his granddaughters in his last week of life.
Paul worked hard and was a kind and gentle man, some say a gentle giant, of 6 ft 4 in. He enjoyed lake fishing and for many years enjoyed a vacation home on Whidbey Island, WA. He was a devoted husband and very caring to people in need. He was a member of the Bellingham Garden Street United Methodist Church. Paul and Joanne enjoyed daily walks in Bellingham parks until his health worsened from prostate cancer. He lived 11 years with the diagnosis of stage 4 cancer, with help from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and Fred Hutch Clinic, and his wonderful doctor, Peter Nelson. Hospice of Peace Health in Bellingham and Providence Hospice in Olympia were great supports at the end of his life.
Survivors include: Joanne Ness Werner at home in Olympia. Robert Werner of Bellingham. Tom Werner (Hallie) and daughters Madilyn and Penelope of Olympia. Brother Carl Werner (Dorene), Yuma, AZ. Brother Gene Werner (Alice), Lake Stevens, WA. Brother Ted Werner, CA. Nephew and family: Brian and Julie Hoerner and children J.R. and Emily of Snohomish. Close family relatives: Betsy and Bob Gottwald and daughters Jenny and Megan in Stanwood, WA. Mrs. Jessica Sande of Stanwood, WA. Mrs Jackie Larsen of Port Angeles. Numerous cousins of the Werner and Kloes family remain.
Paul’s memorial service will be Saturday June 15th at Noon, Olympia First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Children’s Hospital in Seattle or Garden Street United Methodist Church in Bellingham, WA.
