Obituary: Boldman, William Francis Jr.
Boldman, William Francis Jr.
William F. Boldman Jr. was born 5 October 1943 in the Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, California to the parents of William F. Boldman Sr. and EsthEr Irene Jones.
His parents eventually moved to Walla Walla, Washington after World War II.
Bill was an extremely resourceful child picking weeds in the southeastern wheat fields of Washington earning money to purchase his first bicycle to deliver newspapers.
He then raised and showed livestock at 4H and Future Farmers of America at various local and state fairs winning many awards.
He was often distinguished as a Grand Champion or Reserved Champion at these events.
He attended and graduated from Walla Walla High School where he met his devoted wife Susan Wilkinson Ouderkirk.
They married in Lewiston, Idaho in 5 January 1962.
Bill went on to Washington State University receiving his BA and MA in Economics and International Trade.
He joined the Painting Union and received his journeyman’s card while earning and working his way through university graduating with no debt.
Bill was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon graduation and served as an Artillery Officer in the United States Army.
He was later established as a highly capable and effective defensive council and Army prosecutor at Fort Ord, California by winning well over 400 cases including victories over the infamous William Kunsler.
Readied to launch out into the professional world Bill chose to direct his energies in 1969 working for Xerox Corporation and then onto Xerox Engineering where he retired in 1999.
Bill was responsible for servicing customers in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
In every year Bill qualified Par Club, yet he usually exceeded requirements by earning Presidents Club with Xerox in 28 of the 30 years of specialized service often being the company’s top professional.
Bill and Susan were fortunate to travel throughout their marriage, exploring many regions like Japan, Europe, North Africa, and many sight-seeing spots in the world.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Susan of 54 years, his son William Francis, daughters Tracy Rose Rockwood, Heather Kristina Krummes, and grandchildren Chelsea Rose Pollard, Alexandra Nicole Coombs, Wyatt Francis, Bear Nautilus, Mary Margret Grace, and a Great Grandson Emerson William Steven Coombs.
Bill had many passions that held his interest throughout his life.
His wife Susan and family were first and foremost his priority and joy.
He shared his love of the outdoors with his family where water and snow skiing were often enjoyed.
His knowledge, understanding and love of engineering and motorsport kept Bill in the garage building and racing motorcycles and cars.
He enjoyed hobbies like modeling remote controlled airplanes to black powder shooting.
In every enterprise Bill was always recognized as a person who knew and lived a genuine measure of performance with a delightful sense of ease.
He was an amazing man.
The best of men, the really great men, quietly set aside their dreams for the dreams of others.
Bill stood as a leader even amongst these eminent men.
Essentially, for all those who knew him well, he was principally a big hearted and gentle man with a warm disposition.
Additionally, his quiet confidence developed and held a deep knowledge for anything he laid his hand on as a matter of unpretentious understanding.
All of which, he was too happy to share with other people.
The qualities of kindness and competence served Bill and his family throughout his life.
But most importantly, his wisdom served anyone who truly considered his noble and good council.
Bill, with his barrel-chested appearance, was not concerned with the arrogance of success or the worry of failure.
He knew and could tell a hawk from a mere handshake and his sophisticated sense of morality did not explain itself to anyone and always lived softly within his perspicacious eyes.
If love were the actions of service, sacrifice, and humility, then Bill lived love more than most men.
William Francis Boldman Jr. was undeniably a universal force and will always be loved; he will always be missed, and will always be remembered for those very essential and human qualities of love rather than his many notable accomplishments.
To those who care, he was a loving husband, a loving father, a loving grandfather, and a loving friend.
As one of a few good men, the world ought to have had, and should have, stumbled and wept upon his passing.