All Pirate fans are looking forward to the football season opener three weeks from today. If you were a Pirate during the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s or 90’s it is likely you remember this great Pirate sitting in the stands.
Today we remember one of our all time great boosters, Buck Williams. His smile, warmth and enthusiasm are still remembered by thousands of Pirates who were involved in Marshfield sports and activities.
Buck was born in Platteville, Colorado on May 21, 1918, and all his schooling was in that state. He graduated from Collins High School where he played basketball, track and softball, then attended Colorado State University. He left school for a job in Klamath Falls, Oregon in the automatic coin machine music business. That is where he met and married Ruby Briscoe, to whom he was married for 62 years.
They moved to Marshfield in 1940 to work for Embaco Music Company, which later became Sunset Automatic Music Company, until his retirement in 1982. During World War II, Buck joined the U.S. Air Force and went overseas as a pilot on a B-29 Super Fortress flying missions from the Mariana Islands to Japan. After the war he returned to Coos Bay and worked for Sunset Music Company.
Ruby and Buck had three sons, Jim, Jerry and Randy who all graduated from Marshfield High School and Oregon State University.
Ruby and Buck were fans and supported Marshfield High School athletics and activities for over 50 years. He was a past president of the Marshfield Quarterback Club (the previous name for the Booster Club).
Buck was inducted into the first MHS Hall of Fame in 2003, the first class of MHS Hall of Famers. Buck passed away in March of 2005. Buck’s Place at Susick Stadium is named his honor.
If Buck was still alive, I’m sure he would want to sit under a new roof. So please consider donating by using the donate button on this page.
