William (Bill) Arthur Olson, of Woodbridge, Virginia —known to many as “Grandpa”— passed away on June 15, 2023 from cancer. Bill’s 90 years were filled serving others and his community. He was known for his magnetic, caring, and humble persona. His kindness towards others and passion for just causes will be missed by all that knew him.

Bill was born on October 19, 1932 to Myrtle (Wall) Olson and Arthur William Olson in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Roosevelt High School (Minneapolis) and completed his Bachelors (Animal Husbandry) and Doctorate of Philosophy (Physiologic Chemistry) at the University of Minnesota. Additionally, he participated in the University’s ROTC program and later served 15 years in as an Army reserve officer.
On August 11, 1956, Bill and JoAnn Catherine Heebl were married. They had a loving marriage and raised three children; Kristi Jo, Gwendolyn Ann, and Jonathan William. The family enjoyed the outdoors and spent much of their time camping, hiking, and traveling back to Minneapolis to be with family. Bill and JoAnn were supportive and active in the churches they attended.

Bill worked in the animal drug industry until he landed at Hazleton Labs (later Covance) and moved his family to Reston, Virginia in 1969. Four years later, in 1973 he started his own regulatory consulting services, Center for Regulatory Services (CFR Services), focusing on FDA and EPA regulated products. The company celebrated their 50th anniversary this year. Bill’s work ethic and steadfast focus on regulatory compliance attracted both domestic and international clients.

In 2002, Bill permanently moved his company and home to Prince William County, Virginia, and became engaged in this new community. Bill was deeply passionate about historic and environmental preservation. He enjoyed sharing his passion with others and mentored over fifty Boy Scout Eagle Projects focused on ensuring local parks and cemeteries were maintained for others to enjoy. Additionally, he served on the PWC Historic Committee. Bill’s commitment to preserve local historical sites led him to be a faithful supporter of the Historic Prince William Organization and their work. He assisted, and furthered, Ron Turner’s effort on cemetery preservation in the county. Bill prided himself on keeping a watchful eye on the five hundred small cemeteries across Prince William County, and was often referred to as “Mr. Cemetery” across the county.
His dedication to environmental preservation led him to form the Prince William Conservation Association with the help of Kim Hosen and countless others. The Association assisted in the Preservation of Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, a jewel in Prince William County, and continues to have a conservation presence across the Rural Crescent.

Once Bill found a cause to his liking, he was unrelenting in his support; a few examples are the preservation of the Slave Quarters at Grace UMC, the creation of the Jennie Dean Memorial in Manassas, and the historical markers for Clover Hill, Bacon Race Cemetery, the Washington-Rochambeau Road and others. Bill was a philanthropist and supported a number of organizations that furthered democracy, preservation of history, equality, access to education and provided international assistance. He embraced his Grace United Methodist Church (Manassas, VA) family.

Bill’s deepest passion was his family and cherished time spent with them. Together with his family they enjoyed many amazing trips (Galapagos being the most memorable), long walks, days spent maintaining trails at local parks and in preparation for the annual Blue Bell festival, adventures with his grandchildren, and especially visits coloring, cuddles and laughing with his great grandchildren.
His beloved wife, JoAnn Catherine Olson, passed away on April 2, 2006. Bill was also predeceased by his parents, his sister, Betty Jean (Olson) Spofford, and his brothers-in-laws (Raymond Heebl and Donald Heebl).

He is survived by his sister Audrey (Olson) Gruver (Duane Gruver); and sister-in-law Karen (Heebl) Johnson (Richard Johnson) and by his children Kristi Olson Smedley (Michael Smedley), Gwendolyn Olson Phillips, and Jonathan William Olson (Jennifer Wray); his grandchildren Kjersti Smedley Oliver (Eric Oliver), Garrett William Smedley (Sarah Black), Schuyler Jefferson Phillips (Hannah Meyers); Calvin Wray Olson, Callie Ann Phillips, and Livia Wray Olson; and great grandchildren Brady Ryan Oliver, Rhys William Oliver, Joanna Lynn Phillips, and William Woodson Smedley.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 9750 Wellington Road, Manassas. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary with The Rev. Drew Colby and The Rev. Rudy Tucker, Jr. officiating. Interment will take place in the Bacon Race Cemetery, Woodbridge, VA.

Bill enhanced and impacted the lives of many; his legacy will live on through his family, the organizations he served, and those to which he was a role model. Donations in his honor can be made to Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) or Grace United Methodist Church, Manassas.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Arthur Olson PhD, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.