Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

SBT 12/8/1998

William M. Olson

December 28, 1925 – December 2, 1998

Our father was born to Henry and Isabel (Longmuir) Olson, their only child, on Dec. 28, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Shaw High School in June 1943. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Army until he was honorably discharged in 1944. In 1948, under the G.I. Bill, our dad received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Western Reserve, Cleveland. One of his greatest accomplishments was receiving his law degree from Cleveland Marshall Law School in June 1955.

On June 7, 1947, he married our mother, Joann Taylor Donovan, who survives. From that union they had four daughters, Crysanne (Steve) Hill of Westerville, Ohio, Deborah Taylor (Joseph) Adams of Scottsdale, Ariz., Susan (Matthew) Preble of Tucson, Ariz., and Kimberly (Dean) Hauflaire of South Bend, Ind.

Our dad was transferred from Northbrook, Ill., to South Bend, where we had some of our best memories. In 1969 he married Wilma (Hall), who survives, along with our two younger sisters, Shannon Adams and Erin Olson from Longwood, Fla.

He retired from Wells Aluminum in 1990, having worked there for many years as their corporate credit manager. In 1987 he married Norma (Harvey) of Stevensville, Mich., who survives, along with four stepchildren. They enjoyed his last few years in Portage, Mich. He was a loving grandfather to nine lucky grandchildren. Our dad was a super (his favorite word) guy!

He was an avid reader and a Life Master of bridge. He had a passion for photography and took some of our most treasured pictures. He was an excellent golfer. As my father-in-law said a few weeks ago, ''He had the most beautiful swing - I miss it!''

Our father died from complications of diabetes last Wednesday night. He had been on dialysis for the last two years, giving himself four exchanges a day. Our dad never complained, not once. He was a fighter, he never gave in, although he had been hospitalized many times.

He loved jazz. Whenever I hear a Stan Getz song, I will think of him. Whenever I see a 007 movie, I will think of him. Whenever I watch a golf tournament, I will think of him. I will never forget his beautiful sky-blue eyes.

We buried our father on Saturday, Dec. 5, according to his wishes, with a graveside service attended by his family.

Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Our father's headstone reads: ''Proud father of six wonderful daughters.'' In reply, we thank him and say: ''We are the proud daughters of a wonderful father.'' We will love and miss you all the days of our lives.