 By
Joe Fisher
Willie
and Pauline first met when she was 15 and he was 17.
Willie and Pauline’s brother, Jack, played baseball
together on a team named the “Star Liquors Baseball
Team of Richmond. Willie asked Jack when he was going
to introduce him to his sister. Jack asked Willie,
“What do you want to meet my sister for?”
Willie said to him, "I just want to meet her.
She’s cute” He wasn’t about to tell
him, “I like the way she fills out her jeans!”
Willie didn’t know what a bashful young lady
Pauline was; but he was persistent! He invited her
to attend his Senior Ball with him, and from that
point on, it was a “Love Jones” relationship!
The courtship continued through his attendance at
Contra Costa College and her senior year at El Cerrito
High School.
In January of 1953, the same year that Pauline was
graduating from high school, Willie was inducted into
the Army. On her graduation night, Willie presented
Pauline with an engagement ring. Shortly thereafter,
Willie was sent overseas to Korea. He returned home
in March of 1954, and they set a wedding date for
one year later.
Willie and Pauline were married on July 23, 1955.
They immediately started their family, to which four
sons were born: Alan, Darryl, Michael and Richard
They settled into their routine of work, family and
play. Willie still remained active in his sports interests
- basketball in the winter and baseball in the summer.
Pauline loved to sew, bowl, cook, and was an active
PTAMom.
After 36 years in the clothier business, Willie semi-retired
then entered the jewelry business, working at Samuel’s
Jewelers and Service Merchandise until 1995, when
he retired for good.
Pauline had a very exciting career, which began when
she went to work for the Mayor of Richmond, George
L. Livingston, from 1986 to 1994. She met many celebrities
and high-level politicians, and one presidential candidate,
Reverend Jesse Jackson. Pauline has many memories
and photos of her time spent in the Mayor’s
Office.
Willie and Pauline’s children have blessed them
with many grandchildren. They are all beautiful children
and loved dearly by “Grandpa,” “Papa,”
“Gramma,” and “Grannie.”
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