William Harvey Paul

William (Bill) passed away on January 7, 2023, at his home in Walla Walla. He was 80 years old.

He was born on September 22, 1942, to William Woodward and Rose Graham Paul in Walla Walla. He went to Prescott and Dixie grade schools, then to Walla Walla High School, and graduated in 1960. After that, he attended trade school in Yakima, WA, and learned welding, machinist, and mechanics.

After moving back to Walla Walla, he married Joan Bland. They had one daughter, Pamela Jo. They later divorced, and he married Lonna Clark Watson. They had one son, Billy Wade Paul, and a stepson, Thomas B. Watson.

Bill worked at Nixon’s Marina till he later went to work at Walla Walla Grain Growers (now Northwest Grain Growers), where he drove trucks for 36 years and retired in 2008.

While raising his family, he enjoyed getting all their own wood they used to heat their house and went snowmobiling, motorcycling, mushrooming, and four-wheeling. He was an avid deer and elk hunter and enjoyed being outdoors and in the mountains. Bill also enjoyed having a big garden and sharing it with friends and family.

For many years he and his wife went with friends to the air races in Reno, NV, in September then they started going to the National Rodeo championships in Las Vegas, NV, in December. As a truck driver, he also enjoyed going to “Big Truck” shows when he could.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Wilma Prior; and two nephews in Asotin, WA.

He is survived by his wife, Lonna, of 54 years, at their home; son, Billy Wade Paul (Megan); stepson, Thomas B. Watson (Missy); and daughter, Pamela Jo Houser in Bend, OR; granddaughters, Kayla Heitzmann (Derik), Kylar McKenny (Blake), Billie J. Paul, McKenna Paul; grandson, Clayton W. Paul; great-grandson, Jax; and great-granddaughter, Hattie Heitzmann; and several nieces.

At his request, there will be no funeral service. A celebration of life may be set at a later date.