WA state senator dies unexpectedly during trail run. ‘Difficult to process’
State Sen. Bill Ramos, an Issaquah Democrat, died suddenly over the weekend, his wife and King County Council member Sarah Perry announced on social media. He was 69.
“Billy is my East, my West, my North and South,” Perry said in a Facebook post. “I don’t know how I’ll do this without him.”
Ramos and his wife have two children, Max and Maya. The lawmaker’s unexpected death came as he ran on a trail near his home in Issaquah.
Gov. Bob Ferguson said Sunday on X (formerly Twitter) that he was deeply saddened to learn of Ramos’ passing, calling his death “shocking” and “difficult to process.”
“Bill was a dedicated public servant and a delightful person,” Ferguson wrote. “Colleen (Ferguson’s wife) and I last saw him a week ago at an event where he was receiving an award. Bill was, of course, with Sarah. It was a typical conversation with them — big hugs, wide smiles, and lots of laughter. I will so miss him.”
Ramos had served in the state Legislature since 2019, representing the 5th Legislative District, first in the state House of Representatives and later in the Senate.
From 2016 to 2019, Ramos was a member of the Issaquah City Council.
Ramos grew up in East Oakland, according to his biography on the Senate Democrats’ website. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forest sciences from Humboldt State University in California before serving with the U.S. Forest Service in various director roles.
He also worked in the U.S. Department of Transportation from 2005 to 2013 in the Federal Transit Administration. While there he was a community planner with a focus on the Tribal Transit Program and Rural and Small Urban Area Transit Systems, according to his biography. He also teamed with 56 Pacific Northwest and Alaska tribes as the federal tribal liaison, working to improve or create public transit on tribal lands.
In addition, since 1996, Ramos was a small business owner.
The King County Council mourned Ramos in a statement Sunday. The senator will be remembered for his love of the environment, the statement said, as well as his adventurous spirit and dedication to his family.
The SnoValley Chamber of Commerce called Ramos a “beloved pillar of our Eastside King County community,” adding that he made a “positive impact on everyone he encountered.”
Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, an Olympia Democrat, honored Ramos as a “true public servant” who worked tirelessly for his constituents. He said in a Sunday post on X that he would miss working with Ramos in the upper chamber.
Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, a Seattle Democrat, called the loss of Ramos “devastating,” both for his caucus and Washington state. Ramos joined the Senate Democrats’ caucus earlier this year, but he fast became a beloved team member, Pedersen said in a Sunday statement.
“Bill was one of the most kind and joyful people I’ve had the pleasure to work with. He never let even the most serious matters get too serious. He made you like him the moment you met him,” Pedersen said. “The shocking news of his death is a reminder to all of us of how important it is to love and appreciate the people who surround us while they’re here.”
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins highlighted Ramos’ “boundless energy and incredible dedication” to working in the Legislature. In a Sunday statement, the Tacoma Democrat recalled that he advanced legislation to make government more accountable, effective and equitable when he previously served as chair of the House’s State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee.
Jinkins also noted Ramos’ commitment to protecting the state’s outdoor spaces and natural resources. Ramos had served as vice chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and as a member of the Latino Democratic Caucus, including as vice chair during his time in the House.
The Transportation Choices Coalition organization said in a Monday statement that Ramos was a “champion for transit.” Ramos helped spearhead the passage of Move Ahead Washington, a state transportation funding package that secured historic investments in walking, biking and transit.
“He’s left a legacy of better transit in Washington and across the country,” Transportation Choices Coalition wrote. “He will be deeply missed.”
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington Democrat, said she was “heartbroken” by Ramos’ death.
“Bill Ramos was a dear friend, an incredible leader, and a treasured partner in serving our communities,” she said Sunday on Facebook. “We have lost a true champion in Washington State.”
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