G
people, and the fortunate coincidences of a Seattle
childhood that shaped everything that followed.
Chapter 1: Seattle Roots
and Family
rowing up in Seattle, my family life was
defined by a mix of intellectual rigor and
competitive spirit. My father, Bill Sr., was a
towering presence and a respected lawyer, while
my mother, Mary, was a powerhouse of civic
engagement. But it was perhaps my grandmother,
'Gam,' who fueled my early competitive streak,
never letting me win at bridge or board games just
because I was a child. I was a messy, somewhat
rebellious kid—obsessed with reading everything
from the World Book Encyclopedia to science
fiction, much to my parents' occasional concern.
3
