Dr. William Douglas Proppe

To the family of Dr Proppe,
From the class of 1964, it was daunting to enter high school in those days. His constant smile and encouragement allayed those imagined obstacles. He helped make it a memorable time. May your grief be short-lived as you, with me, remember the significance of his life.

To Phyllis and family,
Bill was a good man and his kind do not come along often. We felt fortunate to have had the opportunity to know him and will miss his warm and kindly presence.
With prayers and sympathy,
John & Cheryl McGinnis

As a graduating 1960 Wilson student, I too had the benefit of Mr. Proppe's wonderful spirit and guidance through the critical teenage years. Wilson was a very special place in those times and Mr. Proppe was responsible for so many of the elements that drew us together. We had some fabulous teachers too, and we still love them and appreciate what they did for us. All that was made possible by the strong and supportive leadership provided by Mr. Proppe.

Great man, great loss, but what...

Dear Proppe Family,
Bill and I knew each other for over fifty years. In fact, as a personnel officer with the Portland Public Schools, he recruited and hired me as a teacher while I was stationed in Europe with the US Army. Thus began a long career during which Bill and I shared personally and professionally in many ways—but particularly during our years together at Wilson High School where he was principal and I was a vice-principal. But our paths crossed on many other occasions as our...

As members of the Wilson HS Class of 1960, we were the first to go all 4 years to this new school. Every fall the faculty would sponsor a fancy dance for us in which they decorated our cafeteria, wore costumes and served us at small tables. Somehow that made a huge impression on me. I twice ran for Student Body President. The first time I was critical of a couple of our principal's pet projects. That was a big mistake, but Bill Proppe, as Vice Principal, firmly but compassionately guided me...

I admired and respected Bill Proppe when I was a student at Wilson H.S. and then renewed our friendship at East Portland Rotary many years later. I always felt his support and encouragement. He will truly be missed.

What a special man he was. As one of the hundreds of students at Wilson High school, I would like you to know we all loved and respected him immensely.
May your family find comfort in knowing we will never forget him.

I have always appreciated the advice and concern He offered Me as a student under his care. In sympathy, David Frezza WWHS Class of 1960

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.