San Francisco Region - SCCA 
In Memory Of Will Pool

Will's Candle (What does the candle mean?)

#28-GT5 WILLPOWER RACING

07/27/02: Will and I were competitors ... mine was #66, a Porsche 911 (white with red and blue), and Will had the red WILLPOWER. About ten years ago, we were racing in SCCA, GT3. I have a picture on my desk with our cars side by side in pre-grid. 

But more than competitors, we were friends. I remember his big smile and how friendly he always was.(The same can be said for Bonnie...always very friendly.) Memories are many. I'll never forget hanging out with Will at TECH and always having a good time together after the race. My fondest memories, however, are the great 'bench racing' moments spent with Will.

I will always have great memories of Will ... a great guy to race with and a great guy to just be around.

Our condolences to Bonnie and the family. God bless you all. Harold and Nancy Allen

07/23/02: The paddock will not be the same without Will and his big smile! A great competitor and a wonderful friend to all that knew him.

My most fond memory of Will and Bonnie, and there are many, was last year at Thunder Hill just a couple of months after 9-11.During the lunch
period there was a musical tribute to those that had fallen and Will drove his red, white and blue #28 around the track with Bonnie as a
passenger holding a huge American flag. I was touched beyond words.  Then to top it off, when Will won his race he and Bonnie gave me his
checkered flag which is and always will be in a place of honor.

We will all miss you Will but we know that you are smiling down on us from the big track in the sky.

God Bless You and Bonnie!

Jack Chisum

07/23/02: A Photo Tribute To Will Pool has been prepared by SFR Region Member Gregg Schlaman, with some nice collage photos of Will.

07/22/02: This past Friday at Sears was an especially sad one for me.

I ran into a fellow worker and he gave me a decal in memory of Will Pool. It made me feel as if someone had just kicked me up side the head. I knew he had been sick but had no idea he had passed away on Monday and the funeral would be on Wednesday. I only wish I could have been there.

He always brought a smile to us in the Pit Lane, and I always looked forward to talking with him. Will always had a way of making everyone feel special.

He cared about his beautiful wife in a way you don't see very often, especially after many years of marriage, they were always like newlyweds. He 
cared about his children and his grand kids. He cared about his fellow drivers. He cared about his fellow workers. He cared about the students in 
his school.

Will cared and that's what made him so special....I respected him greatly.

I will miss him.

God be with you Will........

Love and prayers are with you Bonnie...

- Pat Phillips, Pit Fire

07/18/02:  To: SFR-SCCA Members ,   From: Bonnie Pool and family

Words cannot begin to express the gratitude my family and I feel for the love and support the SCCA racing family expressed for Will during these last difficult months since his cancer diagnosis. 

He was overwhelmed by the outpouring of admiration and affection. When he was hospitalized, I would bring him every card, print out for him every e-mail, and related to him every phone message. He told me he felt truly blessed to have such caring friends. 

You brightened his life. When death came, he, of course, faced it  with quiet courage and grace. I would expect nothing less from him. He died peacefully in the home he loved and his family was with him. Those of you who so graciously attended his service saw the display of  all those cards and well wishes that adorned the foyer of the church. I had kept every one of them because they meant so much to both of us. The floral American flag arrangment was a lovely tribute from his SCCA family. A SCCA and RDC flag adorned his casket, as did his helmet. 

Once and racer, always a racer.

Your sincere expressions of sympathy to me and my family comfort us now,  and I know, somehow, Will see those, too.

My heartfelt thanks to you all,

- Bonnie Pool

07/18/02:  In retrospect, no one has as much time as we want with our friends and family. My family will miss my Dad tremendously. 

We cannot thank our SCCA friends enough for the support you have given us. We know that we are not alone on an island. We feel the support of a thousand people every direction we turn-- emails, phone calls, flowers, cards, visitors, prayers, internet postings, food etc. 

My Dad knew what it felt like to be supported by all of you before he died and was humbled by it. He is watching us now, urging us to continue to live, strive, and succeed and be happy. 

In his memory, my family wishes every person to live up to that expectation. 

Again, thank you for your thoughts. 

Best wishes, 

- Dan on behalf of Bonnie Pool and my sister Jennifer and our families

07/16/02: Will, Bonnie and myself built my first race car.  Red, white and blue truly is fitting. 

The Pooles took me under their wings and introduced me to the sport we all love...road racing. 

Will was a worker, a competitor, and a school principal. A loving husband, father, and grandfather. 

Last but not least, Will was a true gentleman. He was respected and loved by people fortunate enough to cross paths with him. 

The region has lost a great man.

God Speed Will

- Dave Hutchings #18SF

07/16/02: This year I have not had as much time to participate in the racing that has been happening this season. 

Tonight I got a call from a fellow worker, and friend, informing me of the passing of Will.  I had to sit back and try to assimilate what that meant to me. 

When I first came to the SFR it was Will and Bonnie that took me under their wings and made me feel like part of the family. I always looked forward to going to the track and stopping by the Pool's motorhome and feeling welcome. 

Will was not only a great competitor he was one of us, the workers. Not only did he have his championships for his driving ability he also had the admiration and respect of those that worked with him whether it be in Pit Lane or in Tech. 

I will miss Will's humor and quick wit. 

Will, Bonnie, and the family will be in my prayers and thoughts, especially those beautiful grandkids.

I will miss you Will.

- John Smith

07/16/02: Since becoming an active racer in 2000, I can't recall meeting a better spirited man that Will. 

Whether driving or in Tech, he always had a great way of looking at things and always had a smile. 

Will was a true gentleman and a great American. 

He will always be in my prayers as well his family.

Godspeed!

- Rick Boysal #4 T1

07/15/02: I just came home and listened to my phone message. One item was some sad news. Will Pool passed away today. I am sure the web will have more details as they come available. Please keep Bonnie and the family in your thoughts and prayers. Will was a great person and will be missed.

- Leslie Berry

Email The Web Team to share your memories of Will and we will do our best to pass them along to the family. If you would like them posted on Will's page, then let us know that too.