Politics & Government WA lawmakers honor late state senator: ‘Bill Ramos made Washington better’ On Sine Die day, Senate members listen and reflect on the life of their colleague, Sen. Bill Ramos, during the passing of a Senate resolution honoring the lawmaker who unexpectedly passed away on April 19. The Olympian Washington lawmakers on Sunday honored the late state Sen. Bill Ramos, an Issaquah Democrat who died suddenly April 19 while running on a trail near his home. Democrats and Republicans alike remembered Ramos for his professional contributions to the state — but also for who he was as a person.
Senators adopted a resolution commemorating Ramos on Sine Die, the last day of the 2025 session. Ramos’ kindness, integrity and warmth made an indelible mark on his colleagues. So did his problem-solving nature and willingness to stand up for women and what’s right, his peers said.
Ramos was 69. He’s survived by his wife, King County Council member Sarah Perry; two adult children, Maya and Max; and dog, Sadie. Ramos had served the 5th Legislative District since 2019, first as a state House representative and later in the upper chamber.
State Sen. Javier Valdez, a Seattle Democrat, remembered meeting then-candidate Ramos in 2018. “When you first meet Bill Ramos, you hear his laughter — but that smile — I mean, just so contagious about how happy he was, wherever he went,” Valdez said. “Nothing ever could get him down.
And there he was, just being Bill Ramos.” Valdez also noted that Ramos was a proud founding member of the state’s Latino Democratic Caucus. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña donned a suit and tie on Sunday. She said even though the tie was a bit crooked, she didn’t want to redo it because Ramos had tied it for her, a gesture that meant a lot.
Saldaña, a Seattle Democrat, said that apart from Ramos’ fierce loyalty and kindness, he’d become enraged by the injustices experienced by others. His lasting presence reminds lawmakers to be courageous and get their “steps in,” she added, eliciting laughter. “I have been honoring him by doubling down on bringing my tennis shoes here more often, and making sure that I am walking and enjoying this most beautiful place that we have called home … in Washington state, among these trees and the waters and our salmon,” she said.
“And I don’t take it for granted.” Lt. Gov. listens as Sen. Keith Goehner (R) 12th Dist. shares a story about colleague, Sen. Bill Ramos, during of a senate resolution honoring the lawmaker who unexpectedly passed away on April 19.
Steve Bloom The Olympian Senate Vice President Pro Tempore John Lovick said he’d read a quote on a walk that morning: “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” “Senator Ramos had to be one of the kindest people I’ve ever met,” the Mill Creek Democrat continued. Ramos, who previously worked in the U.S. Department of Transportation, served as vice chair of the state Senate Transportation Committee.
Sen. Marko Liias of Edmonds, the committee’s chair, called Ramos a “bridge builder.” He also underscored Ramos’ deep love for his wife. During Liias’ speech, he referenced a group of House members seated in the Senate gallery. Throughout his 18 years in the Washington state Legislature, Liias said, he’d never seen House representatives in the gallery on Sine Die.
Ramos brought lawmakers together, even after his passing, Liias said. “Bill Ramos represented the very best of us,” the Democrat continued. “Bill Ramos made us all better, and Bill Ramos made Washington better.” This story was originally published April 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM.
