You start out in school and have classmates, acquaintances and friends. And if you’re lucky, some become lifelong special friends. After school you enter the workforce and have co-workers, acquaintances and bosses. And if you’re lucky, some become lifelong special friends.

I first met Sim Wilson in the 1960s through our newspaper careers. I was working for the Snohomish Tribune and Sim, of course, was here in Marysville.

In 1977 I left the newspaper business and accepted a position as the Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, John Martinis, Democrat, from Everett. How fortunate I was that the ranking minority member of that committee was Sim Wilson.

Two years later when the House was split 49-49 I became the Administrative Assistant to the Chairmen of the House Transportation Committee, Martinis and Wilson. In 1981 when the Republicans took control of the Legislature I worked for Sim and John. And two years later when the Democrats took over I worked for John and Sim. While some wondered how I could serve two masters of different political parties, I was fortunate that both these legislators worked for the people, not the party. They worked together in a very constructive manner to get legislation passed that benefited the citizens. And after Martinis left the Legislature Sim worked with Senator Larry Vognild (D) on issues affecting this area.

For Sim there was never a Republican or Democrat bill, if it was beneftcial to a majority of his constituents he supported the legislation. And during another fiscal crisis for the state in 1981 Sim supported tax increases so that vital services would not face horrendous cuts. This is a far cry from today where both those in Olympia and the other Washington don’t seem to work together. Sim, Martinis and Vognild were real leaders.

In Olympia I observed legislators that made things happen — those who watched things happen — and those who wondered what happened. Sim Wilson, as well as the other two were in the former category.

It was during this period of my life that my boss became a very special and lifelong friend. After I accepted a position with the Snohomish County Council in 1984 I continued the close friendship with Sim. We started having lunch once a week and then soon it became an everyday occurrence. We never lacked for conversation — talking about our early days in the printing business, local events, and politics.

My very lifelong and very special friend has left a huge footprint on the community. He was very proud of Marysville and very supportive of many community events and also bond and levy issues for schools, fire departments, etc.

I found a saying recently that I feel really sums up the Sim Wilson I knew and was proud to call a very special friend.

Not how did he die? But how did he live?

Not what did he gain? But what did he give?

Not what was his station? But had he a heart?

And how did he play his god given part?

Was he always ready with a word of good cheer,

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not what was his shrine; not what was his creed;

But had he befriended and supported those really in need?

While the loss I feel today can in no way compare to the sorrow felt by his wife, Karen, and children Mike and Maren, and step children Geoff and Gavin. But I shall forever miss this very special man I was proud to know for so many years and one I considered a very special friend.

Don Wlazlak

Marysville