William C. Winsor

Former island resident and Bainbridge High School civics teacher William C. Winsor died Sept. 3 in his Spokane home. He had been suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

He was born Sept. 12, 1932 in Seattle to William C. Winsor Sr. and Josephine Baldacchino.

He attended Seattle Jesuit schools and Seattle University, where he learned the high standards he became known for later as a teacher.

He worked at Boeing for five years and served in the Army Service Corps during the Korean War from 1952-53. After being discharged, he took night classes to become a teacher.

He taught entire families of kids and more than one island generation at Bainbridge High School from 1959 until he retired in 1991.

His only break was from 1962-63, when he taught for the Air Force in Europe.

At BHS, he taught “Civics” and “Contemporary World Problems,” which every student had to pass to graduate. Virtually every graduate during his 30-year tenure took one of his classes.

His civics class was known for his tough news magazine quizzes. Students were also required to attend a city council meeting, school board meeting or traffic court to see how government worked and then report back to the class. It was his way of teaching students the responsibilities of being a citizen. He was known as a tough but fair teacher. He enjoyed working with kids, and the subjects he taught.

He was also a dedicated teacher, arriving at school by 6:30 a.m. every morning. He was known as a very giving and caring person. He took care of the senior class for its senior trip, graduation and all the details pertaining to it. He was also faculty advisor to the school’s National Honor Society.

After he retired to Spokane, he enjoyed annual trips to Europe for two months at a time to pursue his passion, opera. He followed opera productions on his own personal itinerary.

He also enjoyed frequent visits to Bainbridge Island and the Seattle Opera.

He is survived by his sister, Betty Moreland of Spokane; nephews Pat and Brian Moreland of Spokane and Craig Moreland of Kent; and great-niece Catherine Grace Moreland of Kent.

There will be no services at his request. The Bainbridge High School faculty and staff have established a fund that will grant a graduating BHS senior an award in his memory each year.

Remembrances and donations may be made to the William C. Winsor Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Bainbridge High School, 9330 High School Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.