William and Rachel Paul, married for 69 years, each died within a day of each other. William Roger Paul, 11 days shy of his 94th birthday, died on Saturday, May 11, 2024. Rachel Marie Paul aged 89, died on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
William, whom his friends called Bill, ran two different businesses during his career. He owned a Chevron station in Davenport, Wash., before moving with his family to Pullman, where he served as the local Farmers Insurance Agency owner for more than 30 years. He racked up plenty of working hours during his career, yet he would always find time to spend with his family. That’s the kind of father and the kind of man he was. Everyone who knew him remarked on his kindness.
William was on the Pullman City Council for 13 years. He received the Silver Beaver Award for his volunteer work with the Boy Scouts and was a Rotary Club member for many years. He was the former chief of the Davenport Fire Department and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees). He was an active parishioner at Sacred Heart Church, as a member of the Knights of Columbus, Parish Council member and usher for many years,
Rachel would rise early in the morning to go to her job at Washington State University. When that was finished, she went straight to another job in property management. She was well known for her work ethic, congeniality and relentlessly positive attitude. Her superiors and peers enjoyed working with her and treasured their friendship, in part because she was always so positive about her work and about life in general.
Rachel was an active member of Sacred Heart Church, and over the years served on the Parish Council, Alter Society and taught catechism classes. She was also an accomplished seamstress, always finding time to spend with her family while making clothes or supporting other endeavors.
William and Rachel are survived by children Kristine Paul, Timothy Paul, John Paul, Susanne Foster; grandchildren Erika (Lindell) Hallgrimson, Dana Lindell, Fiona Paul, and son-in-law Stuart Foster. The love of William and Rachel cannot be replaced, but it will be remembered and cherished always.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 440 Northeast Ash St., Pullman, for those who wish to attend. A reception in the church social hall will follow, then the interment at the Pullman City Cemetery. Corbeill Funeral Home of Pullman is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Parish, Pullman, Catholic Charities, or Saint Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to corbeillfuneralhomes.com.
