Beloved friend and active Flagstaff community member, William “Bill” Buell, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008.
Bill was born Nov. 19, 1923 to Lillian and William H. Buell Sr. in Pendleton, OR. While many in Flagstaff enjoyed his poignant and often witty letters to the editor, few realized that Bill held two Masters Degrees in English, one with a concentration in American literature and one in English language and general linguistics. He also completed all requirements for his Ph.D. except for publishing his dissertation.
Bill was known for his unassuming nature and his quickness to volunteer for a good cause. Always taking up the fight for the economically disadvantaged, the environment, the elderly and the disabled, Bill will forever be remembered as a thoughtful and indefatigable advocate for that in which he believed. Many believe that it was Bill’s unyielding advocacy that spared Route 5’s bus service to residents of Clark Homes, many of whom rely upon the bus as their sole means of transportation. Bill also contributed to the book, The Heart of Flagstaff, published by Friends of Flagstaff’s Future and available at the Flagstaff public library.
Bill’s early travels led him to teach English in Kabul, Afghanistan in from 1948 to 1951 and to British North Borneo from 1962 to 1966 where he was the Assistant Director of Education for the Education Department. Bill came to Flagstaff in 1971 and has lived here since.
He is survived by daughters, Victoria Hepler and Catherine O’Neal, both of Orlando, FL., 4 grandchildren, and sister Nancy Renton of Eugene, OR. as well as many loving friends.
A celebration of Bill’s life will take place on Sun., Sept. 7 at 1:00 p.m. at the Thorpe Park Community and Senior Center, 245 N. Thorpe. Following the celebration, those interested can board Mountain Line’s Route 5 for the Bill Buell Memorial Ride. Donations in his honor can be sent to Friends of Flagstaff’s Future, PO Box 23462, 86002, or, plant native wildflowers in memory of his beautiful garden.
