Willard Shelby Teel (1921 - 2014)

Born 24 Dec 1921 in Strong, Arkansas, United States

Biography

He was kicked down and walked on by a cruel stepfather, but he picked himself up and became a self-made man. And he did it his way. Willard passed away Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, due to malignant melanoma at the age of 92.

Willard was born to William and Della Johnson-Teel on Dec. 24, 1921, in Strong, Ark. He began a career in the paper-making business with International Paper Co. in Bastrop, La. Shortly before World War II, he moved to St. Mary's, Ga., and began working for the Gilman Paper Co.

During World War II, Willard was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as a combat medic in four major battles in Italy, including Anzio Beach. The war was a subject that he never liked to discuss because of the horrors that he was witness to.

Willard returned to St. Mary's after the war to resume work, and on Oct. 26, 1950, married Olene Stapler, with whom he last year celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. In June 1963, Willard accepted the position of papermill superintendent with Potlatch Corp. and moved his wife and young son to Lewiston. Because of a delay with the company moving their furniture, the family's first month in Lewiston was spent at the old Lewis-Clark Hotel.

One cannot put Willard's life into words without mentioning how important the world of paper-making was to him. Through his more than 45 years of employment in the paper industry, until his final days, Willard loved to talk about his work and the people he worked with.

In the 1960s, Norm Riddle built Willard a jet boat. He quickly learned how to pilot the twists and turns of the Snake River, and was soon giving many of his friends their first ride into Hells Canyon. Bad leg problems forced Willard to sell his boat and he often stated that was a pleasure he hated to give up.

Upon Willard's retirement from Potlach Corp. in 1986, Willard and Olene began traveling around the country in their motor home. Some of their favorite trips were with the Good Sams motor home club. They made several trips to Winter Haven, Fla., to watch his favorite major league baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, during spring training.

Willard did love to travel and got to fulfill two of his greatest dreams. First, in 1988, with his son, Alexander, they flew to Acapulco, Mexico, and embarked on a 10-night cruise down the Central American coast. On the third day of the trip, Willard's dream of traveling the Panama Canal came true, entering on the Pacific Ocean side and exiting on the Atlantic Ocean side. The following year, Willard fulfilled another wish of his by traveling to New York, where he boarded the Queen Elizabeth II and sailed to England. He returned to the states aboard the Concord passenger jet. Willard loved to talk about his time on the Concord flight.

Willard enjoyed fishing and hunting, but his first love, other than paper-making, was baseball. Even though he tried to never miss a Lewis-Clark State College women's basketball home game, it was the LCSC Warriors baseball team that made him happiest. He never missed a Warrior NAIA tournament game. After Lewiston lost the NAIA tourney, Willard and his good friend, Roger Adams, traveled to the sites the tourney moved to, including Jupiter, Fla., and Lubbock, Texas. Willard cherished his trips to those sites, but was always quick to tell people how much better Lewiston and LCSC were in staging the NAIA tournament.

He really enjoyed his volunteer work at Harris Field. He was instrumental in the installation and painting of the new bleachers in time for the first NAIA tournament held here. It was at Harris Field where Willard really felt at home. He loved people and made many friends and lasting friendships there.

Willard was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, a 60-year member of the Masonic Lodge, and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.

Willard is survived by his wife, Olene; and son W. Alexander (Buttons) Teel; his three favorite Louisiana nephews, J.D. Teel, Steve Teel and Doug Ramer; and favorite niece Diane Ramer.

Cremation has taken place and, at Willard's request, no service will be held. Memorials may be made to LCSC Baseball's 10th Man Club, or LCSC Women's Basketball Scholarship Fund, both in c/o ATTN Athletic Department, 500 Eighth Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501.

He did it his way. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ The Lewiston Tribune