William P. Mohler's Obituary
William “Bill” Patrick Mohler, of Tacoma passed away peacefully yet unexpectedly on July 12th, 2015. Bill spent his final weekend surrounded by his loving family & friends as he celebrated the wedding of his son Patrick to Alicia. His family was what mattered most to him. “Papa Mohler” was an inspiration to all! He was motivational, generous, supportive, encouraging, and a leading figure in our community.
The youngest of 3 children, Bill was born on November 24th, 1943 in Portland, OR. At the age of 2, his family moved to south Tacoma where he lived within 10 blocks for most of his life. He was among the first graduating class of Mt. Tahoma high in 1962 & a graduate of PLU. He enjoyed traveling, golf, BBQing, cracking jokes, and most of all spending time with his family.
Bill’s impressive career started at Clover Park Voc. Tech, where he taught business and then became the Director of Business Finance. From there he went on to work for OSPI and CVE, in Olympia. He spent over 16 years as a leader at Bates Technical College (originally the Assistant Superintendent of Vocational Education and later President of Bates). During this time he was an instrumental force in changing vocational education and making it part of our state’s higher education system. Bill retired from Bates in 2000. He was rehired in 2001 and dedicated his time to raising money for the college’s renovation of the Public Television Station, KBTC. These efforts led to Bill’s final career title as President/CEO of KCTS, in Seattle. He was a very proud member of Rotary for many years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marjorie; his children, William “Billy” Mohler, Jr. (Mary), Kari Montgomery (Bill), Rebecca Haukaas (Eric), Patrick (Alicia) and Andrew (Hillari); his grandchildren, Mikayla, Jared, Isa, Grayson, Bryce, and Troy, his sister Nancie Hatheway (Frank), and brother Maurice Mohler (LuAnne). He is preceded in death by his parents, Maurice H. and Lois C. Mohler.
A celebration of Bill’s life is scheduled for Saturday, August 1st at 1pm at PLU in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bill Mohler Scholarship Fund at Bates. Go to Mt. View Cemetery website for more information.
The following is an indepth biography of William Mohler written by his wife:
William Patrick Mohler was born on November 24, 1943, in Portland, Oregon. His parents were Maurice and Lois Mohler of Minnesota. He was the youngest of three children, Maurice (brother 6 years old) and Nancie (sister 1 year old). He was named after his grandfather Wilbur Perry, however, his mother was not fond of the names so used the initials, W.P.
At the age of two, his family moved to S. Tacoma, into a house that his grandfather had built on 76th and I St. when it became vacant due to his grandfather’s death. The house was extremely small, aprox. 500 sq. ft., two bedrooms, no indoor plumbing, and insulated with cardboard. They cooked on a wood-burning stove and had an ice-box for refrigeration, remembering the excitement when the iceman came and they would get chips of ice from him. Years later, his dad added inside plumbing and they felt finally like they were in the new age. The bathroom was so small he said that they had to grease their hips and go in sideways. They raised chickens and rabbits and always had a large vegetable garden to help put food on the table. Bill remembers fondly how he and the neighborhood would spend hours outside playing ball and riding bikes, coming home only in time for dinner. Bill said when he looked back on pictures he realized how poor they were, but they never felt poor. They were happy living in their little house on I St, with mom & dad, brother & sister, dogs, and lots of neighbors and friends.
Bill attended Fern Hill Elem., Baker Middle School, Lincoln H.S., and finally graduated from the newly built Mt. Tahoma High School in 1962.
Bill’s first job was as a paperboy in Tacoma for the News Tribune. He was only 10. His brother was also a paperboy and it was his route. He turned it over to Bill, but kept it in his brother’s name till he turned 12 (because that was minimum age for delivery boys). Bill delivered till he was 17. This was also his first experience as a business man – the last 3 years, he paid other kids to deliver part of the route for him because he also worked at the Ft. Lewis Commissary. Bill said, “I learned how to manage money and I learned people skills, dealing with collection and service.”
He was always interested in motors, and as a youngster raced go-karts. One day he saw a chainsaw engine for sale, purchased it, and mounted it to his go-kart – fastest in the neighborhood. Later he traded it for a car even before he could legally drive.
When he was 15, his brother went into the military, left his car at home and gave his permission that Bill could drive it during his absence. He was elated.
His prized possession in was a ’52 Olds called the “Emerald Lady” (green metallic), which he purchased from his brother-in-law, during his high school years.
In high school, he was very involved in DECA, Key Club (school spirit), and was the President of Retailers in his senior year.
In 1962, he was the first graduating class from Mt. Tahoma High School. His youngest son, Andrew, in 2004 was the last graduating class from the same school at that location.
Bill attended Pacific Lutheran University, graduating in 1967 with a B.B.A. degree in Business Administration with specific emphasis on Marketing (and a minor in Art). He continued his education throughout his life taking many graduate courses from Washington State, Ohio State, and a number of other institutes.
He went to work for JC Penneys in 1962, located on So. Tacoma Way & 54th in Tacoma. Bill was there for five years where he held a number of management positions. He started working in the shoe department and soon became their top salesman. He said that he crippled more women than polio; however, he continued to fit his children growing up with shoes. They asked him to move into management, but he said “why, I am already making more in commission than the Manager”.
In 1965, he married Sandy Halverson. They gave birth to William P., Jr. (Billy) (4/67) and Kari Ann (4/69).
After graduating from PLU in 1967, he worked a short stint for United Pacific Insurance Co. as an Underwriter Trainee, but soon moved on to Days Sportswear, a clothing manufacturer, and became their National Sales Manager. He travelled extensively. In 1969, they wanted him to move back east to live, but he made the decision not to move from Tacoma, from his family and friends.
Bill then applied and was hired in 1969 at Clover Park Voc. Tech Inst. as the Distributive Education Instructor. This is where his true love came out – vocational education (truly helping people becoming self-supporting individuals). In 1971, he moved into the business office as D.E. Supervisor and Business and Operation Supervisor until 1979. He was mentored by Dr. Fred Minor, Director of Clover Park VTI. Bill admired his philosophy and he taught him the real meaning of Vocational Education, which he never lost and followed throughout his life.
During this time, he and Sandy divorced. Bill and a very good friend, Rich Maskule, moved in together. This is when he took time to list out his strengths and weaknesses, and re-evaluates his life. He bought a ’65 Chevy and called it the “Maroon Harpoon”. They took a trip down the Oregon coast with four children (a handful for two men). It was on their return trip near Tillamook, Oregon, that they learned of Elvis Presley’s death, 8/16/77.
April 8, 1978, Bill and Marjorie Smith (Rickards) married and decided to always choose activities that they could do together, both in work and play. Bill said that marriage is not 50/50, but 60/60 or 70/70. They were happily married for 37 years. They gave birth to three children – Rebecca (1/80), Patrick (12/82), and Andrew (3/86).
In 1979, Bill became the State Director for Vocational Education for the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in Olympia. Then in 1982-85, he moved to the Washington State Commission for Vocational Education (CVE) as the Executive Director. He enjoyed this venture in his life, becoming very involved in the political field.
At the age of 41, after driving to and from Olympia for 6 years, he decided to return to Tacoma in 1985, and was hired as the Director of L.H. Bates Vocational Technical Institute and Assistant Superintendent of Vocational Education for the Tacoma School District. Bill said “I wanted to return to the local level because it brings you much closer to where the action is.” He came on at a critical time when the construction of a $17 million annex in So. Tacoma was to start and a $12 million major remodel of the existing downtown facility. The new annex was officially opened and operating in May 1987.
In 1991, Bill was instrumental in the five vocational-technical institutes seceding from the public school system and joining the community college system. This allowed the institutes to be more responsive to local employment needs and issue applied-technology degrees instead of certificates. Bates became known as “Bates Technical College”, and Bill became the President/CEO.
KSTW-TV, the Channel 11 building on South 19th St. in Tacoma, was being vacated by Universal Pictures Network when it moved its operations to the Seattle area. Purchasing these facilities gave Bates a digital studio to provide the career training required by the growing number of high-tech businesses locating in the region. This became the home to KBTC.
Between 1985 and 2000, Bill rehabilitated Bates from a local joke into the largest technical college on the West Coast, with 22,000 students and an annual operating budget in excess of $30 million.
Bill retired in December 2000, after heading up Bates for 16 proud and successful years. December 1, 2000, was declared “Bill Mohler Day” by Brian Ebersol, Mayor, City of Tacoma, at a reception in his honor. There was also a ribbon cutting and dedication at KBTC renaming it the “William P. Mohler Multimedia & Business Campus”.
Some quotes from individuals in 1999:
Brian Ebersole, Mayor of Tacoma -
“Give me an ally such as Bill Mohler any day – someone who is not afraid of controversy and a good fight if he believes the outcome will be good for students and will promote their ability to live productive and meaningful lives.”
Norm Dicks, Member of Congress, 6th District -
“Bill Mohler has been quick to pinpoint and support new technology which would advance both the educational system and its constituents, the students. He is personally involved in the move to enhance digital TV which will greatly expand resources for the state’s educational system.”
Jack Skanes, Chair, Bates Board of Tructees –
“He looks like a mild-mannered, ordinary college president, but when he speaks, things happen – and for the better! He leads by example, not by coercion. This is what makes Bill Mohler an exceptional president.”
Tom Dixon, President, Tacoma Urban League –
“Through Bill’s influence, Washington, in partnership with Kawasaki and other industries, has become a leader in worker training and retraining. He has encouraged the restoration and honor of Tacoma’s working waterfront and hopes to locate Bates’ boat building program on the site.”
Debbie Winskill, Board Member, Tacoma School District and Chairperson, Bates’ General Advisory Council –
“Bill’s involvement of business, labor and other educational institutions has been important to the success of Bates. It is a familiar name in the community and is known as a place where you can get reliable works. The job guarantee that accompanies the degree from Bates is attractive to employers.”
Sally Cofchin, Bates’ Vice President of Human Resources –
“He had the foresight to develop a communication system that included all levels of staff as well as students in the decision making process. He also involved unions in interest based bargaining. All union affiliations are now committed to this concept. Staff feel their voice is valued, and an important part of the college.”
Kathy Brock, President, Bates’ Local 4184, WFT/AFT, AFL/CIO –
“Labor-management meetings have opened up strong lines of communication. Not one grievance has been made by faculty members. Considering we have 140 members with different training subjects, we feel President Mohler’s commitment to solutions has made the difference. We have heard other bargaining units refer to their president as part of the problem, we see President Mohler as part of the solution.”
Steve Conway, State Representative, 29th District –
“It is Bill’s heart that has inspired among his staff a spirit of self-sacrificing, caring service to others. Bill Mohler is committed to helping people reach their full potential. During his tenure, there have been significant increases in women and people of color and ethnicity in staffing and student enrollment.”
John Kennedy, Executive Director, World Trade Center Tacoma –
“I believe Bill’s greatest strength is his ability to work with people – staff, students, community leaders – to develop programs of maximum worth to the community. It has resulted in an institution which is innovative but disciplined, highly productive and well integrated into the community.”
The following year, he was hired as a consultant to raise funds for the college’s renovation of the Public Television Station (KBTC).
“The Man Who Saved KCTS”. In May 2003, when Bill heard that Seattle KCTS (Channel 9) was having financial difficulties, he called the Board chair, Doug Beighle, offering to help in anyway. He responded and asked Bill to come up for a talk. He came home and said they wanted him to help on an interim basis for six months with the understanding that he not apply for the permanent position. Bill asked Marjorie what she thought and she responded “What else are you going to do? You’re too young and smart to fully retire.” He called Doug up and accepted the position, taking on a station that was drowning in debt and close to being shut down. Six months later, the understanding was waived when it became clear that Bill was the best person for the job, said KCTS board chair Doug. In December 2003, Bill was named the permanent president and CEO of KCTS. The general consensus is that if anyone can get the station out of this situation, it’s Mohler, a man who has a significant turnaround under his belt at Bates, Tech. College. On 11/12/08, KCTS 9 paid in full its $7 million loan well ahead of schedule. For the first time in probably a quarter of a century, the station was debt-free. Bill retired for the second time in 2008.
Bill enjoyed many different activities - RV camping (not in a tent), golf (“Mohler rules” – lots of mulligans, foot wedges, and do-overs), painting (art not houses), and afternoon “power” naps. He loved barbequing and planning the meals, shopping (especially Costco), and his own backyard. Even though Bill was not a very good swimmer, he had a pool in his backyard and spent hours maintaining it just so he could watch his family enjoy their home with all their friends. Their friends loved to come over and talk to and get advice from “Papa Mohler” and he was always happy to oblige.
Bill and Marjorie bought their first and only motor home in 1978 and started their many years of camping. They traveled all over the northwest, leaving right after work on Fridays – the ocean, around the peninsula, into the mountains – putting on many miles, both highways and dirt roads. After selling the motor home in 1980, the next purchase was a “pop-up” tent-trailer (3 different ones, each one getting a little bigger and better). No sleeping on the ground for Bill Mohler! Many wonderful memories of summer camping with lots of friends and family at Lake Chelan, Crescent Bar, the Okanagan in British Columbia, eastern Washington and Oregon.
Along with yearly camping trips, Bill enjoyed many other destinations: Disneyland, Disney World, Miami, Washington DC, So. Carolina, Hawaii, Mexico, Great Britain (Rick Steves), Jamaica, Bahamas, Japan, and cruises to Eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska (cruise/land tour), Western Caribbean (family New Years Eve.), Panama (his last).
But his special joy was his family – his wife and five children. He was so proud that they all have jobs and are hard working individuals with great morals, they all own their own homes, and love and respect each other, and are each others’ best friends. He called them daily, just to check in with them and always offered up what was for dinner. He was the happiest when we had “family dinners” once a week (anywhere from 8 to 18 would attend – five children, five spouses, and six grandchildren). Our dinner table extended from the dining room to the front door during these special get-togethers.
Besides his close family members, Bill’s family consists of numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. For years, the Mohler clan has been getting together on the last Sunday of July to celebrate their family connections. Twenty-six years ago, Bill opened up his home and backyard to host this wonderful family party, with anywhere from 30 to 100 people attending. He enjoyed all the family stories and seeing long-lost cousins.
A friend said that it didn’t matter what Bill took on, he always did it to the best of his ability. He put his all into everything in life whether it be work or family and was very proud of this. He was unselfish and gave credit to others just to make them look good.
Bill once stated that “If I die tomorrow, what’s important? My most important contribution is my children, their values and beliefs, which I have shared with them and the contributions that they will make … it will continue on”.
Bill passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2005, in Bothell, Wa., after celebrating his son, Patrick’s marriage to Alicia on Saturday. An autopsy confirmed that he suffered from an undetected abdominal aortic aneurism. His life was taken way too soon. We love him and will miss him forever.
“Mohlerisims”
- If it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck … it’s a duck
- No one is as smart as all of us
- It may be legal and right, but it doesn’t pass the sniff test
- If you pull the sword on the king, you better be ready to finish the job
- Don’t mistake activity for accomplishment
- If all else fails, greed prevails
- Don’t spend time watching someone else’s tail lights
- Work smarter, not harder
- Be careful what you wish for
- Sometimes you have to get sick before you can get better
- Like nailing jello to the wall
- Plant their feet in the air
- Facts are facts, but perceptions are true
- The more you stir it, the more it stinks
- If it was easy, anyone could do it
- It’s like painting a moving train
- You are responsible for what you say and do
- Like a soft chair – easy to get into but much more difficult to get out of
- Like eating an elephant one bite at a time
- Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate
- Go home with the one who brought you
- Golden Rule – he who has the gold, makes the rules
- Mess up – fess up
- Fish where the fish are
- You can be excellent at your job today, but you can be better tomorrow
- Some of my friends are for it and some of my friends are against it – I’m for my friends
- Shit is shit no matter how you spread it
- Sell the sizzle, not the steak
- Out of 100 -120 plays, only about 2 or 3 impact the outcome of the game
- So busy chasing pigs, no time to build fences
- Planting seeds (Dr. Fred Minor)
- It’s pretty hard to teach a dog more than you know
- Instead of blaming the monkey, you should be watching the organ grinder
- Be careful what horse you attach your wagon to
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
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