William Repass Saul, retired official with the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, died July 15 in Leonardtown, Md. He was 80.Saul was a former assistant to the vice president at the Paul Hall Center, working in that post from 1993 to 1997. He also had served for many years as a waterways advisor and union confidante. Previously, he was well-known as a top official at Steuart Petroleum.
“Bill was an absolute pioneer in our industry,” said Don Nolan, vice president of the Paul Hall Center in Piney Point, Md. “He had a wealth of knowledge in many areas—especially the maritime industry—and he always was willing to share it with you. He was a very kind and gentle person, someone who it was a pleasure to know and work with. He will be missed.”
“Bill was a hands-on executive, at home in coveralls and jeans as well as designer suits,” said Paul Hall Center Instructor Mitch Oakley. “He was as keen in the shipyard as he was in the boardroom.
“Consummate businessman, world class entertainer, and always a gentleman, his fatal flaw was his huge heart,” Oakley continued. “I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to love and learn from Bill Saul. Thank you, Bill, for always having a glass half full—your sharing spirit will continue to inspire those of us you touched.”
“I met Bill Saul back in the ’70s when I first went to Piney Point,” said Jerry DiPreta, retired Pall Hall Center comptroller. “He was a great man and a true gentleman, someone I was proud to know.
“He was very knowledgeable about the maritime industry, particularly about the inland waters and inland vessels,” DiPreta continued. “Bill always treated people with respect, and it was a real pleasure to call him my friend. He will be greatly missed.”
“I worked with Bill for about 10 years at the school,” shared Capt. Jack Russell, a part-time instructor at the Paul Hall Center. “We ran the Osprey (one of the school’s training vessels) together and trained a number of unlicensed apprentices and upgraders on how to operate a ship.
“He was a mentor of mine because I learned so much from him,” Russell continued. “Bill also was a father figure to me, because I lost my father a long time ago. We shared a good many father-son things over the years, and he always provided me with sound advice. I’ll always remember him as the wonderful, kind, caring person that he was.”
Born in Buckingham County, Va., Saul attended Pennsylvania Maritime Academy and held a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 until 1947.
Saul is survived by his wife, Patricia; two daughters, Susan Mathews of Beaufort, S.C., and Johanna A. Saul of Compton, Md.; one son, John T. Saul of Prince Frederick, Md.; three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services were conducted July 22 at the Patuxent Presbyterian Church in California, Md. with the Reverend Mike Jones officiating. Saul’s remains were interred in Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Appomattox, Va.
The family asks that those wishing to make memorial contributions consider the St. Mary’s Nursing Center, 21585 Peabody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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