Car is a 1942 Ford. This picture of Willard H. Passauer was taken around 1942.
Willard had gray eyes and dark brown hair (it looked more black).
SSN 189-14-4336, Military ID Number: 336-81-554
U.S. Army Artillery and cook from 7/15/42 to 2/1/1946 (Private, PFC, Corporal).
On her husband Willard Passauer, from Tri-City., Oil City, Franklin,
Titusville Edition of the Times-News, Sun., June 26, 1983, front page
of Section C, "Living."
ARTISTIC ENDEAVORS KEEP HIM BUSY AND HAPPY!
by Marge Olejniczak
FRANKLIN --
"I have always believed that when someone is faced with adversity something good will come out of it," smiles Willard (Bill) Passauer who discovered his latent artistic talent five years ago when ill health forced an early retirement.
"I was recuperating in the hospital from a heart attack when the doctor told me I had to give up my job or be prepared to face the consequences. I had too many blockages for a bypass operation so I had to learn to live with my condition," says Bill who adds that this depressing news matched his mood and followed him home to a long gloomy winter.
Unaccustomed to inactivity after 36 years of employment as a salesman, Bill says it was sheer boredom that prompted him to take a friend's advice and try painting as a hobby. "I bought an acrylic kit, I couldn't use oil paints because of a liver condition, dabbled a bit, took some classes from Harry Hickman and that's about it. I didn't know I had that talent," he smiles with genuine amazement at his progress.
Indeed, Bill's artistry earned him several ribbon awards from entries he submitted over the years to the Kennerdell, PA Art Festival and Pennbank's Graphic VII Art Contest.
Several friends and relatives have benefited from his artworks, given as gifts but Bill says he has never sold a painting. "None other than the one when I was in the hospital and my doctor asked me to paint his cottage. I asked him, 'On canvas? 'Well, I 'sold' it for what (material cost) I had in it, but I don't do this to make a profit. Actually, at first, my wife didn't want to part with any of my paintings and secondly, no one knows me," he chuckles modestly. Bill shares his talent by placing his paintings in the First Baptist Church where they can be viewed by his fellow parishioners.
Two years ago Bill tried his hand at carving wood birds and ducks, an area of interest sparked by the couple's trips to Maine's seashore. He purchased a $7.95 kit and set about learning the intricate art.
Throughout the couple's home are magnificent replicas of mallard ducks, sanderlings, sandpipers etc. which Bill fashions in his workshop equipped with a band saw, table saw, radial arm, belt sander, drill press and an assortment of carving tools. "I have a lot to learn yet," he says eagerly.
Two-and-a-half years ago Bill had a pacemaker implanted and says that physically he tires too quickly to spend the amount of time he would like to at his hobby. Nevertheless, on his drawing board are plans to make a working decoy. "I'll use two by six boards, glued together, hollowed out and weighted so waves can't flip it over."
Researching water fowl is as much a part of his hobby as is carving. Leafing through a book, Bill says that many birds were over hunted to the point of extinction. "Hunters aren't allowed to shoot shore birds anymore but years ago hunters used decoys to attract the birds to their blinds. Peep birds, for example, that look a lot like young sanderlings, were shot by the hundreds and sold to restaurants for peep pie."
Places of residence;
Birth to 1947 - Lucinda, PA
1947-1953 - 211 Imperial St., Oil City, PA
1953-1956 - 411 Hoffman Ave., Oil City, PA
1956-1959 - State Street, Oil City, PA
1959-1962 - 509 Innis St., Oil City, PA
1962-1971 - 405 West 6th St., Oil City, PA
1971- ? - Coal Hill, PA
? - 1997 - 10 Little Pine Place, Franklin, PA
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"A Hole-In-One, But There's No Cash" from the book: "Slow Lane in Oil City, by Steve Szalewicz, 1989. Copy of book at the home of William L. Passauer as of 1997.
It was neither long nor short. Bill Passauer of Franklin could not locate his tee shot on a 133-yard, par-three hole at Speer's Golf Course, Dempseytown, PA.
Cal Gilmore of Franklin and yours truly were playing with Passauer. Cal, in answer to Bill's puzzling observation that he could not see his ball as he stood on the fringe of the No. 3 green, suggested in jest that Passauer should "look in the hole."
Sure enough it was there for what every golfer, duffer or professional, strives to attain, a hole-in-one.
Barb and Lawrence Myers of Franklin had 3ust finished playing No. 3 and were at the nearby No. 4 tee when Passauer's lofty No. 7 shot hit the fringe on No.3 and hopped in a straight line into the cup.
Lil and Bud Bromley followed us near enough to share in the excitement when Passauer discovered his ball in the cup.
Passauer on the other hand took the discovery as a matter-of-fact ... as if hole-in-one was something that happened to him frequently. He appeared as they say today, "laid back" about the feat. Nonchalant.
It's in the cup, he announced. No high fives. No wild whoops. Just cool, man, cool.
Squinting, Cal and yours truly had seen the swing. High and straight for the cup. But the No-3 green slopes away with enough pitch to take any ball except one with a lot of backspin over the lower bunker and into a wooded ditch. Out of sight.
According to Doris Speer, a hole-in-one occurs at Speer's about once in every 2,000 shots at either No.3, No.5, or No.7. They are the short holes.
Most patrons at Speer's are "glad" for Passauer. Last February he underwent a difficult and dangerous heart operation in Pittsburgh.
He began to play golf about five years ago when he left employment with a disability. He is secretary of the 85-member Tuesday morning Senior Citizen's League at Speer's. As such he keeps an up-to-the-minute account of all scores, handicaps, dues, prizes, birdies, pars, etc.
He does that job expertly. Everyone now congratulates him. Couldn't have happened to a nicer fellow, as the saying goes.
Only one thing wrong with this feat. He should have pulled the stunt on a Tuesday morning in league play. It would have been worth at least $240.
Willard Herman Passauer High School Graduation picture, June 1942.
Willard Herman Passauer, age 19. Picture taken 1943
Willard Passauer, father of the Oil City, Franklin, PA Senior Citizens Golf League still very active in 1998. From the Oil City derrick, 9-20-1988. Age 50. Taken by William Lee Passauer at his studio in Gaeta Italy.
The Senior Citizens Golf league that Willard started.
July 04, 1993. Taken by his son, William Passauer at Willard's favorite place, his porch, 20 days before he died. Taken at 10 Little Pine Pl. Franklin, PA.
With Howitzer Company 1944.
Willard H. Passauer and wife Doris E. Harrington on April 30, 1944 one month before their first child, William Lee Passauer was born on May 30, 1944.
Willard H. Passauer and wife Doris E. Harrington. Doris is pregnant with their first child, William Lee Passauer was born on May 30, 1944.
Doris Elaine Harrington. Picture taken abt. 1929-1930. Age abt. 5-6 years old.
Doris Elaine Harrington. Picture taken 1944, age 20. Year son William Lee Passauer was born.
Doris Harrington, Abt. 1995.
The last picture ever taken of Doris Harrington-Passauer before she passed away. Taken by her friend Wade William Weeter during the first week of November 1997.
See also the following families:
William Lee Passauer Family
Stiller Family
