W.W. “Bill” Philip, who co-founded Columbia Bank and was a founding father of the University of Washington Tacoma, has died, according to the bank.
He was 99. No further details were available late this afternoon.
“Bill Philip was a visionary leader who believed deeply in the power of community,” Clint Stein, CEO of Columbia Bank and its Tacoma-based parent company, Columbia Banking System Inc., said in a statement emailed to South Sound Business. “His leadership helped establish Columbia Bank as a relationship-focused institution, while his civic contributions helped shape the future of Tacoma and the broader region. Columbia’s business model remains deeply rooted in Bill’s operating philosophy and values. The impact of his service, generosity, and commitment to others will be felt for generations.”…