William Francis Poulson
June 17, 1931-Feb. 5, 2016
Redwood City, California
William Poulson died on Friday, February 5, at Brittania House in Redwood City from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He is survived by Ann, his loving wife of 62 years, his daughter Elizabeth, and two grandchildren, Maya and Luca, as well as his sister, Yvonne Schuster of Santa Rosa, and sister-in-law Mary Patzer of Chantilly, VA. His son, William Sidney, predeceased him in 1998. Bill was born on June 17, 1931, in Los Angeles, the first child of William Poulson Jr. II and Frances Amelia Smith Poulson. The family moved to the Bay Area during World War 2, and settled in San Mateo, where Bill was a graduation speaker at the 1949 commencement at San Mateo High School. He continued his education at Stanford University, as a speech major. He met the love of his life, Ann Patzer, at Stanford. They married after his graduation in 1953. Bill spent the following four years on active duty with the Navy, and during that time both his children were born. He served both on board ship (the USS George Clymer) transporting troops home from the Korean War, and on shore at the Naval Receiving Station, Skaggs Island (near Sonoma) where he was assistant officer in charge. Following his discharge he returned to Stanford, earning his Master’s degree in History and also obtaining a teaching credential. Bill began his teaching career at Woodside High School in 1959, and remained there until his retirement in 1993, teaching U.S. History and Government.
In 1974 he was selected to participate in the Stanford Coe Program for the training of new teachers. He spent a year on campus as a faculty associate. He truly enjoyed being able to mentor beginning teachers – which he did also as a mentor teacher several years at Woodside.
During those years, Bill served on several boards of organizations organized to help the handicapped: CAR (now Abilities United, Palo Alto), PARCA, Burlingame, and FHAR (Family Homes for the Retarded). His interest in such service began because of the handicap endured by his son.
Bill enjoyed fishing. He would walk Northern California streams and rivers, hoping for steelhead, or troll from his boat at Lake Tahoe for trout. He also enjoyed travel, especially to Switzerland where his daughter lived for 15 years and where his grandchildren were born.
He had to slow down during his later years because of the toll taken by Parkinson’s disease. But although he was unable to read or walk, he truly enjoyed listening to stories of the family and their visits, which always brought a smile to his face.
Our heartfelt thanks to the good people at Britannia House: Delphine, Mark, Djoni, Angie, and Gina (and Carrie).
Private services will be held later in the year. No flowers, please. Memorials can be sent in his memory to Abilities United (525 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto, 94306) or Mission Hospice & Home Care (1670 South Amphlett Blvd., Suite 300, San Mateo, 94402).
Tags: veteran, teacher/educator, public service
