With his unparalleled history of service to the University of Washington, Bill Gates Sr. made an enduring impact on our community, state and world. From his days as a student to his many years as a regent and benefactor, he demonstrated extraordinary generosity to the UW and everyone we serve. Bill’s character and school spirit were larger than life. We will miss him deeply.
The Student 1940s
1941
Receives the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
1946
Enrolls at the University of Washington after serving in the U.S. Army
1949
Graduates from the UW with a bachelor’s degree in law
1949
Begins dating Mary Maxwell, a fellow Husky
“Bill’s commitment to public service was unmatchable.”
— Dan Evans
former U.S. senator and governor
The Father & The Barrister 1950s - 1960s
1950
Earns a JD from the UW School of Law
1951
Marries Mary Maxwell
1954
Daughter Kristianne Gates is born
1955
Son William Gates III is born
1964
Cofounds Shidler & King, later Preston Gates & Ellis
1964
Daughter Elizabeth Gates is born
“Bill’s decades-long relationship with his alma mater shaped this university and preserved its excellence.”
— Rogelio Riojas
Chair, UW Board of Regents
The Civic Leader 1970s - 1990s
1971
Chairs the Seattle Public School Levy Campaign
1981
Cofounds the Washington Research Foundation
1986
Elected president of the Washington State Bar Association
1991
Named a UW School of Law Distinguished Alumnus
1992
Receives the American Judicature Society Herbert Harley Award
1993
Joins the Board for Judicial Administration, Washington State Supreme Court
1994
Establishes the William H. Gates Foundation
1996
Marries Mimi Gardner
1996
Cofounds the Technology Alliance
1997
Joins the UW Board of Regents
1998
Retires from Preston Gates & Ellis
“A true friend to the UW in every sense of the word: loyal, kind, generous. The world is a better place because of Bill Gates Sr.”
— Connie Kravas
Former SVP, University advancement
The Public Servant 2000s
2000
Merges the William H. Gates Foundation with the Gates Learning Foundation to launch the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
2000
Chairs the UW capital campaign “Creating Futures,” which began that year
2001
Elected chair of the UW Foundation Board
2003
Inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
2003
William Gates Hall opens at the UW School of Law
2003
Joins Costco Board of Directors
2005
Cofounds the Pacific Health Summit
2009
Receives the Washington Medal of Merit
2009
Publishes “Showing Up for Life: Thoughts on the Gifts of a Lifetime”
2010
Receives Chi Psi Fraternity’s Albert S. Bard Award
2010
Spearheads the Washington Income Tax Measure
2013
Honored as Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus by the UW
2016
Honorary co-chair, with Mimi, of the UW's “Be Boundless — For Washington, For the World” campaign, which launched that year
“Bill’s passion for education, generous public spirit, tremendous integrity and extraordinary civic-mindedness have created a legacy here and around the world.”
— Ana Mari Cauce
President
Bill Gates Sr., the greatest Husky fan, with UW President Ana Mari Cauce at a football game in 2017.
Contributions in honor of Bill’s abiding commitment to the UW can be made to the UW’s Achievement Scholars fund. This fund, initiated by Bill, covers tuition funding, internship support and mentoring for talented Washington state students entering the UW, ensuring every student can accelerate their career opportunities upon graduation.