William Harry Bains-Jordan 104, formerly of Lanikai, HI, passed away on February 4, 2021, in Madison, AL. Bill (also known as Billy, BJ, or Billy Bains), was born to John William Bains and Jean Allen Jeffrey Bains, on December 12, 1916, at Waiakea Plantation Hospital, in Hilo, HI. When he was a young boy, he and his family moved to Oahu, HI, where he resided most of his life. When he was 15 days old, his family took him to the Volcano House on the Big Island. The register shows his footprint, as he was their youngest visitor! He was presented with a copy of this many years later.

Bill graduated from Roosevelt HS in 1935, and attended Cannon School of Business, as well as the University of Hawaii. He went to the very First Boy Scout Jamboree in 1937, in Washington, DC, representing Boy Scout Troop 10 as a Junior Leader. He became an Eagle Scout, chaired a Boy Scout Makahiki, was a Scout Leader, and was a District Committeeman for 2 years.

Mr. Bains-Jordan became a butcher at Piggly Wiggly, then started with the Bank of Hawaii in 1937, where he worked up from office boy, to bank Vice President. He opened many branch locations, and transferred to Guam for 4 years as VP of the bank there. He retired after 45 years with the Bank of Hawaii. After Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, and war was declared, the banks held an important role. In his own words... "I can remember being a receiving teller in the Main Office at the outbreak of the war. The military governor said that no person or business could have more than $200 in their possession, so money poured into the bank. We got it in such quantities all we could do was count it and throw it aside into waste baskets and receptacles in our wire-mesh teller cages. People brought in all their money. Later we issued new currency overprinted with "Hawaii" in exchange for all old currency. Then I worked at the former Mokapu branch—forerunner of the Kailua branch. When it appeared that our troops might lose in the South Pacific, we had to keep a daily log of currency, segregated by Federal Reserve Bank of issuance—San Francisco, Denver, or Washington—and by silver certificate. In case of immediate invasion, we could destroy money and certificates while retaining records of them. We also perforated with a large "H" all stock certificates that the bank kept to secure loans. In case of capture, the perforated certificates could be declared worthless. During the Battle of Midway, we received a call to bring in all currency to the Main Office. There were no armored cars then. That night we in the branches transported all currency in our own vehicles."

Bill was always known for his quick sense of humor. Back in 1979, he was mentioned in the Honolulu Star Bulletin, as follows: "When a little mongrel dog wandered into the Kailua branch of Bank of Hawaii, VP Bill Bains-Jordan quipped to a customer, "I hope he didn't come in to make a deposit."

William Bains-Jordan was elected as a Representative in the very First Hawaii State Legislature in 1959. He served for 4 years as Representative for District 10, the largest district on Oahu at the time, and was Chairman of the committee that designed the new State Capitol building.

Bill joined the Rotary in 1955, and had perfect attendance for over 55 years. He served in many Rotary clubs in Hawaii as Secretary, Treasurer, President-elect, and President. He was elected as Rotary 5000 District Governor from 1984-1985. He attended every District Conference, and many International Conventions. Mr. Bains-Jordan hosted many Group Exchange Members from Australia, England, Israel, Mexico, and Germany, in his home in Lanikai.

Billy B-J was an avid deep sea fisherman. He started the fishing club on Guam while he was working at the bank there. He also was a long time member of the Mokulua Fishing Club in Lanikai. Besides deep sea fishing in Hawaii and Guam, he also fished in New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, and Alaska. He went on yearly trips to a remote fishing lodge in Alaska, fishing on a boat for Halibut for hours each day, till he was almost 102 years old!

Some of Bill's many other achievements include: President of Honolulu Jaycees, Chairman of the "49 ^th State Fair" (Hawaii later became the 50 ^th State, but held 49 ^th State Fairs for years anticipating becoming the 49 ^th State), Southshore Hospital Board of Trustees, Aiea Community Association, Leeward Oahu Civitan Club, President and Treasurer of the Guam chapter of the American Red Cross, Kalihi Businessmen's Association, Kapahulu Businessmen's Association, and several Republican Precinct clubs. He was a member of the Hawaii State General Plan Advisory Council, and was on the Board of Trustees for the Lanikila Rehabilitation Center. Bill was President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Vice Chairman of the Citizen Advisory Committee at Castle Memorial Hospital, the Director of the Kailua Chamber of Commerce, President of the Kalihi Businessmen's Association, and President of the Kapahulu Businessmen's Association.

Bill loved the short walk from his house to Lanikai Beach which he enjoyed till he was in his 90's, where he would swim almost every day and hunt for lobster in season. At times the Honu (Hawaiian Sea Turtle) would be swimming alongside him. As a youth, he enjoyed surfing in Waikiki, and was friends with Sam and his brother Duke Kahanamoku, the world famous surfer.

William Bains-Jordan was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Jean Bains, Manono Sander, and Juanita Sloma; and his brothers John Bains, and Jeffrey Bains. Survivors include his beloved wife, Marjorie Helen (Marques) Bains-Jordan; his children, John Bains-Jordan (Betty Jean), Patricia Bains-Jordan (Don Swart), and Kathy Davenport (Glenn); stepsons Dick, Dale (Velma), and Don Carstensen; 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Hawaii Governor Ige will be ordering all flags at half mast in remembrance of Mr. Bains-Jordan's contributions and service to Hawaii.