Paul Willson Austin

Paul debuted in Topeka, Kansas being born to Olive and Jerry Austin. Paul graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He studied law at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and received his Juris Doctorate from Oklahoma City University. Paul began practicing law with the firm of Israel and Israel and later joined Legal Aid in Lawton, Oklahoma. He moved in the early 90's to fill the Managing Attorney position in Norman's Legal Aid Services office. After leaving Legal Aid Services, Paul practiced in the private sector as a tireless advocate for children and families. He often donated his time as a Guardian ad Litem when the parties could not afford to pay, and he was considered one of the best GAL's in the state by many of the judges under whom he served. Judges and colleagues used Paul as a resource for both legal and social service solutions to problems facing families in the system. He had a vast knowledge of a wide range of topics and a great talent for finding solutions that went beyond the legal arena.Although he was not a graduate of the OU College of Law, Paul volunteered as a moot court and skills competition judge, passing his knowledge on to future lawyers. He provided his auctioneering services to the Organization for the Advancement of Women in the Law (OAWL) for their annual fundraiser to benefit the Norman Women's Resource Center. He also served as President of the Cleveland County Bar Association and as a peer-elected delegate to the Oklahoma Bar Convention. He also contributed to his community by serving as a member of the task force that created Norman's Full Circle Senior Adult Day Center and as a Commissioner of the Norman Housing Authority Board.Paul's acting career began at Putnam City High School where he starred in "The 2000 Year Old Man". He acted with The Who Dunnit troupe for over a decade and appeared on many stages, but two of his favorite venues included the Sooner Theatre (where he was a past President of the board and directed the Murder Mystery fundraiser for many years) and Carpenter Square Theater. On or off the stage, his comedic and dramatic performances entertained his family and friends throughout his entire life. Paul had a passion for life. He had a big personality, an opinion to be shared, an infectious laugh and a genuine interest in others. Paul is survived by his sister Kathy Pendarvis and his nephew Austin Pendarvis, known to all Paul's Facebook friends as "The Kid". Paul is also survived by a very special inner circle of friends and literally countless others from numerous communities. His final curtain call will be at the Studio of the Sooner Theatre at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2023. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to any of Paul's previously mentioned favorite organizations or one that is dear to your heart. Remember Paul through his message… "Smile when you aren't laughing…..Loving life is easy!"