Bill Olson passed away at his home in Los Alamos May 5, 2016 at the age of 86.

 

He was born June 15, 1929 in Rock Island, Illinois to Willie and Irene Olson. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother and sisters and survived by his wife, Lyn, children and spouses, Holly and Robert Vigil, Eric and Mary Olson, James and Danielle Olson, and seven grandchildren. He was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and on the board of Self Help.

 

Bill graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, attended both the University of Southern California and the University of Iowa where he earned his PhD in Chemistry. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory doing research in plutonium for 35 years during which time he was able to work at the Institute for Transuranium Elements in Karlsruhe, Germany for a year.

 

While in Germany, he established many lifelong friendships. Bill served as education chairman of the regional American Vacuum Society Chapter and has been honored with a scholarship in his name. Bill was convinced of the importance of energy conservation and built his home with an active thermal energy system in 1975. After retiring, he started a small energy conservation business.

 

Described as a gentleman’s gentleman, a truly decent man, and an incurable punster, Bill’s quick wit and generous nature will be greatly missed.

 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 20, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2390 North Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Los Alamos Hospice Care.