William Howard Paulson, 71, of Chocowinity, died Friday, November 23, 2012. Bill was born in Lawrence, MA on July 27, 1941, the son of the late Ruth and Henry Nason of West Boxford, MA. He was educated in West Boxford schools and was a graduate of Johnson High in North Andover. He received a Bachelors of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Maine, Orono in 1964. He enlisted in the Army in March of 1964 and served as a first lieutenant in the Vietnam War from 1966-1967, receiving the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and the Bronze Star. Bill was employed with the Royster Company as a Process Engineer in Mulberry, FL; Senior Project Engineer in Norfolk, VA; and retired as Operations Superintendent with PCS in Aurora, NC in 2003. Bill held the license of Professional Engineer in Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina and was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Bill was passionate about boating and bird watching, enjoying many voyages with “Birdie” on the Merry Heart. He loved all kinds of music, from country to classical, and was always reading a book. He was a member of the Washington Yacht Club, Pamlico Sail and Power Squadron, Carolina Bird Club, past member of the Beaufort County Board of Health, and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Greenville. He was a dedicated member of the Cancer Support Community and served as chairman of the Gilda’s Club building committee.
Bill is survived by his wife Mary Hart Paulson, his siblings Donald Paulson and Molly Labonte of Petersburgh, NY,  James and Sandy Nason of West Boxford, MA, Mary and Bob Corthell of West Boxford, MA, Elizabeth and Thomas Lucas of Amherst, MA, sister-in-law Paula Paulson of Petersburgh, NY, brothers-in-law Dan and Anne Ervin of Florence, SC, Van and Claudia Ervin of Florence, SC, and Dargan and Virginia Ervin of Florence, SC, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who loved their Uncle Bill, a special Uncle to all.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, from 6-8 PM at Hillside Funeral Service and Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 E., Washington, NC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2012, at 2 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 131 Oakmont Drive, Greenville, NC. A memorial service will also be held in West Boxford, MA on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 2 PM at the Second Congregational Church, 173 Washington St., West Boxford, MA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Caring House, Inc., 2625 Pickett Rd., Durham, NC 27705-5608 or American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 930-B Wellness Dr., Greenville, NC 27834.
You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com.
Hillside Funeral Service & Cremations, 4500 Hwy 264 E, Washington, NC has been given the honor of being entrusted with serving the Paulson family.