Dr. William “Bill” Kendrick (1953)

Bill Kendrick showed traits of becoming a leader while he was still a student at R.A. Long.  He was president of the Quill and Scroll, a journalist and in the scholastic club, was the sports editor for the annual his senior year, and was the assistant editor of the Lumberjack Log, newspaper.  With all of the deadlines required for involvement with the previously mentioned groups, Bill still had time to participate in sports such as football and track.  He was a member of the 1952, Hall of Fame, Championship Football team.  Bill was also chosen by the faculty to give the commencement address at his graduation ceremony in 1953.  After high school he went on to college at Western Washington University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1957.  Bill earned a Master’s Degree from California State University at Los Angeles in 1959.  In 1988 he earned his Doctorate from Portland State University.  Bill was an elementary teacher in Inglewood California while studying for his Master’s degree.   After earning his Master’s degree, in 1959, Bill accepted an Assistant Professor position at California State University, Los Angeles.  In 1962 he moved to San Diego to become the Curriculum Coordinator and Director for the San Diego County Department of Education.  Bill became the Assistant Superintendent of the Evanston, Illinois School District from 1967 until 1969.  He then went to work for a private sector publishing company for 3 years.  He was chosen to be Superintendent of Salem, Oregon Public School and held that position for 14 years until 1986.  He left that position to become Superintendent of the largest school district in the state of Washington, Seattle Public School District, from 1986 to 1995. Bill was awarded the honor of Community Education National Superintendent of the Year.  He served as a member of the National Junior Achievement board (joined 6 CEO’s to introduce Free Enterprise System to Russian High Schools}, Bill participated in the last private meeting with Mikael Gorbechev before he stepped down as Russian Leader.   Bill continues to be active in several community organizations, that raise money to assist people in need in Mason County.  Bill and his wife Carol have been married 57 years, have 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.