William Susumu Nakamura was born December 15, 1922, the second child of 8 children to Kumashiro and Saya Nakamura in Portland, Oregon. He, with elder brother George and younger sister Ida, graduated from Kennedy Elementary School.

After 2 years at Benson High School, he was sent to Japan to further his Kendo and Japanese language skills. He returned to Portland in early 1940. He missed his graduation from high school in ‘42 when his family was sent to Minadoka Relocation Camp with the outbreak of WWII. In camp he worked in the sugar beet and potato fields before moving east to join brother George at Williams Manufacturing. In 1943 he volunteered for service in the U.S. Army and served in the MIS in the Pacific campaign until Japan’s surrender. In 2012 he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

After being discharged, he returned to the U.S. and eventually Portland where he worked for the Controls Division of Iron Fireman Mfg. Co. which was purchased by Electronic Specialty of California. Working his way up, in 1965 he was appointed General Manager of the electronics division.

In 1969 he joined Nippon Miniature Ball Bearing and with wife Binkey, spent the next 23 years in Asia and California where Bill helped NMB build factories in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and China. During this period he held several positions with NMB including Pres. NMB Singapore, Pres. NMB Chatsworth and Pres. NMB U.S. Operations. He retired in 1992 and he and Binkey moved back to Portland.

In his retirement, Bill enjoyed golf, fishing excursions to Alaska with his brothers, occasional ventures to the casino and his annual trips to Asia to visit his many friends.

Bill is preceded in death by his wife Binkey (1994), son Billy(2004), brothers George and Mitz and sister Ida. He is survived by daughter Marina Ramis , grandchildren Kelly and Will, brothers Harry (wife Betty), Peter and sister Lily Uyetake and sister in-law Tami Nakamura.

He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Private family service

Celebration of Life at the Multnomah Athletic Club on Sunday, September 21st. 3:00pm – 5:00pm

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to: Ikoi No Kai 1333 SE 28th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214