Exhibit 16
                                   WM TRUST I
                                  WM TRUST II

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------

       Each of the undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint Monte D.
Calvin, Sandra A. Cavanaugh, William G. Papesh and John T. West, and each of
them acting alone, as his/her true and lawful attorney and agent, with power of
substitution or resubstitution, to do any and all acts and things and to execute
any and all instruments which said attorney and agent may deem necessary or
advisable or which may be required to enable each of WM Trust I and WM Trust II
(collectively, the "Registrants") to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act") and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"), and any rules, regulations or requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with each Registrant's
Registration Statement(s) on Form N-14 pursuant to the 1933 Act and/or the 1940
Act, together with any and all amendments thereto, including specifically, but
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to
sign in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a trustee of each
Registrant each such Registration Statement and any and all such amendments
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1933 Act and/or the
1940 Act, and any other instruments or documents related thereto, and the
undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorney and agent
shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

/s/ David E. Anderson                    /s/ Wayne L. Attwood, M.D.
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David E. Anderson                        Wayne L. Attwood, M.D.

/s/ Arthur H. Bernstein, Esq.            /s/ Kristianne Blake
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Arthur H. Bernstein, Esq.                Kristianne Blake

/s/ Edmond R. Davis, Esq.                
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Edmond R. Davis, Esq.                    John W. English                   
                                    

/s/ Anne V. Farrell                      /s/ Michael K. Murphy
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Anne V. Farrell                          Michael K. Murphy

/s/ Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. Ph.D          /s/ William G. Papesh
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Alfred E. Osborne, Jr. Ph.D              William G. Papesh

/s/ Daniel L. Pavelich
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Daniel L. Pavelich                       Jay Rockey

/s/ Richard C. Yancey
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Richard C. Yancey

Date:   September 22, 1998