Kermit Eldon Price

Kermit Eldon Price was born on May 17, 1941 in Iowa City, Iowa to Marvin J. Price and Eunice Violet Sisson but raised by his stepmother Irma. Bill, as he was known to friends and family, had one older sister named Phyllis Price. Marvin was a farmer and Bill spent his first 5 years on the farm until Marvin lost his arm in a farming accident and moved the family to Council Bluffs, Iowa. From the young age of 12, Bill was hardworking and got his first job selling vegetables at his uncle’s stand. During his youth he took on various odd jobs including working at an egg factory where he helped create a new way to transport eggs from floor to floor.

After attending high school in Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Bill joined the US Navy in 1959. He sailed on the USS England from 1965 to 1967 as a Machinist Mate and earned a Navy Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy and was cited for his part in the 7th Fleet combat support operations in the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which represented the US’ official entrance into the Vietnam War. News of his achievement even made an article in his hometown newspaper.

While stationed in Long Beach, California, Bill met Elizabeth Davenport, or Betty for short, at a small restaurant and they were married on May 18, 1964. They had three daughters, Lisa, Joann, and Tammy, but Lisa was stillborn. After the birth of Joann, Bill left the Navy and started a career as a mechanic and his role as a dedicated parent. Bill and Betty raised their two daughters in Riverside, California before they bought their home in Moreno Valley, California. He didn’t retire from his career as a mechanic until 2008, but added the role of grandparent shortly after moving to Moreno Valley in 1986.

Using the skills he learned in the Navy and the love he grew as a happy, devoted father and husband, Bill spent much of his spare time in the garage maintaining the cars of his daughters, family, and neighbors. As hardworking as he was, Bill was never short on love and he regularly plucked fresh flowers from his garden for his wife. Playful, kind-hearted, and affectionate, Bill would also delight his grandchildren with his detailed stories from his mischievous days on the farm and his sweet tale of picking out the house to raise his first grandchild, the very house that he died in. If you asked Bill how he wanted to spend his days, he would say fishing while drinking a cold beer and while his friends and family would agree, they also know that Bill enjoyed the simple things in life like jigsaw puzzles, playing cards, checking his watch, and doting upon his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill, 82, died in his home surrounded by family on July 8, 2023 from a lengthy battle with Dementia and COPD. Bill is preceded in death by his daughter Lisa, his father Marvin, his mother Eunice, his stepmother Irma, and his sister Phyllis. He is survived by his wife Betty, his daughters Joanne and Tammy, his granddaughters Briana, Cassie, Lacey, and Alyssia, his grandsons Steven and Micaiah, his great-grandchildren Brooklyn and Asher, his niece Cheri, and his nephew Randy.

A visitation for Kermit will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory, 23618 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. A funeral service will occur Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 23618 Sunnymead Blvd, Moreno Valley, CA 92553. A committal service will occur Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518.