The last family owned funeral home in Thurston County.

Paul Douglas Weisser
September 13, 1956 - October 5, 2021

Paul Douglas Weisser, 65, passed away October 5, 2021 after a very recent diagnosis of cancer in Olympia, Washington.

Paul was born September 13, 1956 in Dickinson, North Dakota to Wilbur and Lois (Josewski) Weisser. On August 14, 1977 he married Linda Sharon Thomas in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 1986 they moved to Washington State.

After being raised in Grand Forks and graduating from Central High School in 1974, Paul attended the University of North Dakota where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. On campus he played baritone sax in the university jazz ensemble and was a radio disc jockey every weekend hosting an old-time polka show.
In 1977 he enlisted with the U.S. Army and served three years as a pharmacy technician at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. At the end of his enlistment, Paul returned to the University of North Dakota to complete his degree and continued on to Law School.

Paul’s long and exceptional legal career in the field of criminal justice began in law school at the University of North Dakota, where he interned for the State’s Attorney Office in Grand Forks. As an intern, Paul had the unique privilege of arguing a criminal appeal, on behalf of the State of North Dakota, to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

After graduating from law school in 1985, Paul began his legal career in service to his country, as a Captain and Trial Defense Counsel in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corps. Paul’s work as a JAG officer stationed at Fort Lewis included all aspects of criminal trial defense, including representing soldiers facing trial by court martial for major felonies. Paul also served as Acting Senior Defense counsel and Acting Regional Defense counsel, supervising other Trial Defense Counsel in a five-attorney office.

In October 1988, then Attorney General Ken Eikenberry appointed Paul Assistant Attorney General in the Corrections Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, where Paul would remain for nearly 33 years. In Paul’s appointment letter, Attorney General Eikenberry commented: “I believe that your experience as a captain for the judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Army and as a senior law clerk for the State’s Attorney Office makes you an excellent choice to fill this vacancy.” Paul was an excellent choice indeed.

Upon landing at the Attorney General’s Office Corrections Division in 1988, Paul immediately took on responsibility for a demanding habeas corpus caseload, defending the lawfulness of criminal judgments and sentences obtained by county prosecutors across Washington state. Paul’s habeas practice quickly grew to include lead counsel roles on some of the state’s most high profile capital litigation matters, including the Charles Campbell, Westley Allen Dodd, Patrick Jeffries, Mitchell Rupe, and Jonathan Gentry cases.

A long-time member of the Association of Governmental Attorneys in Capital Litigation (AGACL), Paul shared his expertise as a speaker at several annual conferences of that national organization, received an AGACL Appellate Advocate of the Year Award, and was regarded by AGACL members to be a brain trust of habeas law and capital litigation procedures. Paul also often presented at trainings offered by the Attorney General’s Office and Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and served for many years as an adjunct member of WAPA’s Appellate Committee.

Over the course of his career, Paul handled many appellate cases, including before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Washington Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court. He was a gifted appellate advocate. As one elected prosecutor noted in a letter to Attorney General Gregoire after watching Paul argue a capital case at the Ninth Circuit: “As always, Mr. Weisser presented himself professionally, and his mastery of the facts and law was manifest. He is a first-class advocate.”

Although Paul received numerous commendations and accolades from public officials and others for his excellent work, it was always his way to deflect credit away from himself and in the direction of others. His natural leadership abilities led him to being appointed head of the Habeas Corpus & Sentencing Unit in 1994, where he shared his natural talent for coaching and mentoring attorneys for 25 years. In 1999, Paul was designated “Senior Counsel,” an honor reserved for the most experienced and accomplished assistant attorneys general.

Paul never wavered in his dedication to his work, his clients, and his colleagues throughout his nearly 33 years with the Attorney General’s Office. Paul’s “Mother Corrections” family will cherish memories of his encyclopedic knowledge of all things habeas corpus, his professionalism and integrity, his genuine kindness, his terrific sense of humor, and the occasional whistling that could be heard coming from his office. And Paul’s legacy will live on in the countless coworkers, clients, and criminal justice partners he positively influenced during his exceptional career.

While Paul was very much committed to his career his greatest love was his family. Paul was so very proud of his children; attending every single sport, game, school play or performance, usually with his trusty thermal mug of coffee at his side. Family vacations and camping trips, especially in the kids’ earlier years, created so many wonderful memories. After becoming a “Papa” life got even sweeter, 7 times over.

Paul was so delighted by those grandchildren, bringing out his silly and playful side. The double screen-savers on his work computer were a continuous slide show of their sweet faces.

While Paul didn’t have many hobbies he did have lots of interests. His loyal African Grey Parrot was his “other woman”. Linda had to spend time every evening watching the two of them cuddling on the sofa with Olga glancing back giving her dirty looks.

Everyone who truly knew Paul thought he could have been (and should have been) a Jeopardy contestant. How this man kept so many random facts on file in his brain never ceased to amaze all. Paul also had a love of crossword puzzles, sudoku and other brain teasers.

After becoming empty nesters Paul and Linda enjoyed travel. Their biggest trip, a two-week long Mediterranean cruise was their favorite. Many more trips were supposed to be in their future.

Paul was a very loyal sports fan to the Seattle Seahawks and especially to the Seattle Mariners. Paul’s office displayed multiple bobble heads to prove it.

Paul is survived by his wife Linda, their children Amy (David) Wilkins, Joe (Krista) Weisser, Matt (Mara) Weisser, grandchildren Charlie, Dylan, Madison, Troy, Mia, Peter and Vienna. Also his brother Steve (Margo) Weisser. Paul was preceded in death by his parents.

Paul will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lacey, Washington following services on October 15, 2021.