William Emil Picking

Our father was a man of many talents and the possessor of an incredibly generous heart. Always quick with a quip or a saucy retort he never failed to bring a smile to the faces of all who knew him.

Born on April 16, 1922 in Tuttle, North Dakota, he was the second child of seven born to Elton Ray and Mary Elizabeth (Schremser) Picking.

Dad was a lively one, by all accounts, from an early age. He was fond of recalling the many mischievous exploits, close scrapes and near escapes of his teen years, most involving the (often involuntary) participation of his beloved younger brother, Rueben.

When Daddy was still small his parents moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, which became the setting for one of the great pieces of the Picking family lore.

Dad's first encounter with the girl who would become our mother, Betty Lou, was when he was seventeen and she a mere twelve. He thought she was cute for a kid, she thought he was annoying and stuck her tongue out at him to prove it. Little did they know that from this inauspicious beginning (and after four more years for Mom to change her mind) would spring a loving marriage that would last fifty-two years and produce four children.

Bill and Betty tied the knot on July 29, 1944 in Marysville, Kansas while he was on leave from his duties as a Radarman in the Coast Guard in California.

Sandra Sue (Sandy) joined the family on September 2, 1945 and Daddy adored having a little girl to call his own.

By the time William James (Jimmy) arrived on January 30, 1947 the lure of the Nebraska prairie had lost out to the constant sunshine of the West and the Pickings were now firmly established in California.

Dad finished his tour of duty with the Coast Guard and eventually, in 1954, Anaheim became home. Ironically, my parents' intent was to raise their children in the country-like atmosphere of orange and avocado groves, but when Disneyland opened about a year later all that rapidly changed.

On February 18, 1957 Rebecca Lynn (Becky) increased the brood by one, followed three years later by Victoria Jean (Vicki) on March 16, 1960.

Their family now complete, Bill and Betty settled into the business of loving parenthood and

Dad found a job in 1963 with McDowell-Craig Furniture in Norwalk.

In time he became the indispensable foreman of the "Top Department". After twenty-four years in this satisfying career he retired so that he and Mom and Uncle Rueben could realize their dream of traveling the country by RV.

As time passed Dad became well-known known for his ability to build anything out of wood and to fix anything that might be broken (including tender hearts).

Daddy was always the "go to" man, whether it be advice on a room addition or a broken-down car three hours away; if anyone called, he would be there. No situation was too inconvenient or too much trouble; if you needed Dad, Dad was there.

One of the greatest sacrifices Dad and Mom made was when they sold their cherished home in 1991 and moved lock, stock and barrel to Hamilton, Ohio to be with Vicki's family when their grand-daughter, Amy, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of nine.

Amy adored her grandparents, and they her; having them with her the last year of her life gave her a joy and comfort no one else could have provided.

After Amy's passing in October 1992 Mom and Dad missed the California sunshine, as well as Sandy and Becky and their other grandchildren, so in 1993 they moved to Wildomar and made a new home with Sandy and her husband, Pete.

Dad spent the following years on creative projects such as home remodeling and small crafts for Sandy and Becky, a labor of love he enjoyed immensely.

On October 3, 1996 Daddy lost the love of his life to lung cancer. In typical fashion he had cared for her lovingly, with the help of Sandy and Becky, until her time on earth was accomplished.

For the past eighteen years Daddy has filled his life with grandchildren and many projects. He was a familiar sight to passersby as he puttered down the street on the golf carts he loved to refurbish and made many friends at the local swap meets and perpetual yard sales.

As his health began to fail he began to lean more and more on his daughters, especially Sandy and Becky, as they lived locally, to maintain an active and vital life.

Daddy's sense of humor and bright spirit were evident to the end. We were blessed to be able to spend many moments with him sharing memories and love before he peacefully took leave of us and joined the beloved ones who had gone Home before him. (I know Mom's first words were: "Bill, what TOOK you so long???")

We are bereft. The man who taught us the meaning of compassion, selflessness and faith is no longer here for us to turn to as we wish, but we rejoice in the knowledge that he is waiting for us to come along directly. I know he will have so many more great stories to share; what fun it will be to settle in next to him and listen to that loving voice for all of eternity!

Daddy was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife; infant siblings Tommy and Mary; his brothers Ray, Rueben and Johnny; and grand-daughter Amy Arlene Titus.

Left to mourn his passing are his brother Robert (Barbara) Picking; daughters Sandy (Pete) Cleary, Becky (Tim) McIntyre, Vicki Schwab; son Bill (Bonnie) Picking; grandchildren Christine Miller, Dean (Donna) Joaquin, Dan (Lisa) Joaquin and Don (Maureen) Joaquin; Martha Rygiel, Matthew Picking, Mark Picking, Billy Picking, Faith Picking; Nathanael McIntyre, Andrew McIntyre; Bonnie Titus-Green (Toby), Michael (Amber) Titus; and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

Services with Coast Guard Honor Guard will be at 10:00 a.m. PDT Thursday, March 13, 2014 at Riverside National Cemetery (22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518 Staging Area 5) with interment immediately following.

Because of our dad's great love for animals we request that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to an animal shelter of your choice.