Bill Austin Foundation
Keep Poulsbo beautiful.
Join the Bill Austin Foundation to keep Poulsbo beautiful.
Bill Austin · 1935–2026
Our Story
Bill Austin (1935–2026) came to the Pacific Northwest for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair — and never left.
For more than fifty years, through Austin Sign Co., he hand-painted the signs that gave Poulsbo its character: Sluys Bakery, Boehms Chocolates, JJ's Fish House, Liberty Bay Books.
He built the Austin-Kvelstad Waterfront Pavilion, coordinated the 2012 Norseman statue, and renovated the downtown clock tower.
Locals call the town "Billsbo" after him.
Our Mission
Honor
Build days, the Renegade Award, and an apprenticeship pipeline training the next generation of sign painters.
Preserve
Twenty of Bill's works inventoried with maintenance schedules. An Adopt-a-Work program places "adopted and maintained by" plaques on each piece.
Continue
A cohesive town identity — handcrafted and hand-painted, never vinyl. Facade upkeep and beautification that carries Bill's vision forward.
His Works
Austin-Kvelstad Waterfront Pavilion
The waterfront gathering place he built for Poulsbo.
Norseman Statue
The Viking sentinel he helped bring to Liberty Bay.
Downtown Clock Tower
The landmark he restored to its rightful place.
Sluys Bakery Signs
Hand-painted lettering that made a bakery iconic.
Red Telephone Booth
A British red box, repainted by hand.
Cemetery Entrance Arch
Designed and donated — his final gift to Poulsbo.
Get Involved
Adopt a work.
Sponsor the upkeep of one of Bill's pieces and carry his name forward.
Build a sign.
Join a community build day and learn the craft firsthand.
Give money.
Support the foundation's work when donations open.
501(c)(3) status pending.
Donations opening soon.