William Poulson

On the evening of December 13th, surrounded by family, we said goodbye to our beloved husband, father and grandfather, William L. (Bill) Poulson, at Bear River Hospital, Tremonton, UT. Bill was eighty-nine at the time of his passing. Born February 12, 1922 in Gannett, ID to Francis and William F. Poulson, he was the youngest of seven siblings. He grew up on a ranch near Hailey, Idaho, where he received his schooling. In 1942, he, like so many of his peers, answered the call of his country and enlisted in the military. Bill served in the Army Corps of Engineers, was in the second wave of troops on Normandy Beach, WWII, and remained in the European Theatre, both in France and Germany until the war's end. Soon after his return to Hailey, he met the love of his life, Vera Douglas. They married in Elko, NV on July 31, 1949. In pursuit of a career in Forestry, he and his bride soon relocated, first for a short time to Pocatello, ID, where he attended Idaho State University, and then on to Missoula, MT, and the University of Montana, where he received his BA degree in Forestry. Bill and Vera made Missoula their permanent home, as he pursued a career with the U.S. Forest Service, first on the Lolo District, later with the Missoula Regional Office, and finally as Assistant Ranger on the Bitterroot Forest in Stevensville, MT, where he was stationed at the time of his retirement, marking the end of a thirty-one year notable career. In fact, it was during his tenure with the Lolo Forest that he was instrumental with the inception of helicopter logging in remote areas, in practice today. Through those many years in Missoula, he and Vera made their home, raised their family, and built a life together. Years moved by quickly with many interests. Bill was happiest in the outdoors; as an avid hunter, fisherman, skier and horseman, these were always shared family interests. Square Dancing, as well as Round Dancing became the cornerstone for many travel adventures around the US and Canada. Friendships along the way became life-long. With their RV, and always with their closest of friends, they visited Alaska, and many of the lower forty-eight states, more than once. There were numerous junkets to Canada and Mexico, as well. In more recent years Bill took up golf, painting and continued to be a life long learner as an avid reader. Bill and Vera have spent the past eleven years in Tremonton, UT, to be close to family, where they are members of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Brigham City, UT. Preceded in death by two sons; Richard and Daniel, Bill is survived by Vera D. Poulson, his wife of sixty-two years, Tremonton, UT, daughter Susan Poulson Ore, (Richard H. Ore) Honeyville, UT, granddaughter Jaime O. Metting, (Arno Metting) and great granddaughter Dylinn Metting, Tremonton, UT, granddaughter Jackie M. Ore, (Rodney Stewart,) Honeyville, Utah and daughter-in-law Judi Poulson Campbell (Matt Campbell,) Sarah Campbell and Michael Campbell, all of Missoula, MT. At BIll's wish there is no service scheduled. In lieu of flowers, if you would wish, please make donations to St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Brigham City UT. A special thanks to IHC Hospice, especially Carol, Carolyn and Mavis. Condolences may be made at ruddfuneralhome.com