William H. Anderson

William H. Anderson, ('Bill'), a resident of San Bernardino for over 75 years, passed away peacefully on Easter morning, April 8th, 2012 at The Lakes, an assisted living community, in Banning, California. Born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Hazel Mae and Daniel Knight Anderson, on August 5th, 1921. He was the youngest of four siblings, (Betty, Richard, and Paul), who preceded him in death. William H. immigrated with his family to the United States in 1922. After several moves throughout his early years, the Anderson clan finally settled in San Bernardino, California in 1935. Bill met Marilyn J. Snyder, the love of his life, at a dance while attending San Bernardino High School. After graduation, he joined the military, (during WWII) . He and Marilyn married shortly thereafter, in 1943. He began his military service working with sheet metal in the U.S. Army Air Corps, (USAAC), a predecessor to the United States Air Force, (USAF). He concluded his service as a Tailgunner on the B-29 Bomber. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Soon after, Bill and Marilyn started their family. Lynn was their firstborn. Gordon followed one short year later, to the day. Kris, their youngest, arrived 4 years later, in 1951. The family later grew to include seven beautiful grandchildren: Amber, Rachel, Cassie, Jennifer, Jill, Roger, and Russell. They also embraced 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Bill enjoyed a variety of activities that he shared with his soulmate, Marilyn. These included dancing, skiing, boating, fishing, golfing and traveling. They valued and maintained high school friendships, and gained plenty of new ones along the way. William H. Anderson was blessed with a full life of 90 years! Within those 90 years, were hundreds of antics, adventures, and mishaps. As a family, we'd like to share just a few.

In his mid-life, Dad, and a buddy formed a partnership in a small trucking business, delivering food to restaurants in the Southern California desert. To liven up the boring, barren drive, they "decorated" the signs they whizzed past with pies, eggs, and more. At one of the restaurants they serviced, there was a dog that had been unwanted and mistreated. Dad took a liking to him, and asked to take the dog home. He did. He cleaned him up, and named him Duke. Duke became our much-loved Boxer that went everywhere with us. He would ride in the driver's seat of the boat that we towed behind the family station wagon. We could see passers-by laughing, as they saw his jowls flapping happily in the breeze. Meanwhile, back to the food delivery truck….on one return trip, the diesel's brakes and horn went out, leaving Dad to commandeer the runaway rig through the Cajon Pass, at 100 miles per hour! (Mind you, there were no runaway truck ramps at this point in time). Amazingly, no harm came to anyone during that wild ride, as he attempted to slow it down. Boating and fishing were always alluring adventures to William H. While vacationing in Mexico, he and Gordon grabbed a friend's Panga boat and their 'fly-fishing' poles, and rushed out into the ocean. Who knew they'd successfully snag a sizable Dorado, much to their hosts' surprise! During his 80th birthday, while on the Big Island of Hawaii, son-in-law, Jack, and Gordon, took Dad on a marlin fishing trip. After some time waiting, Dad fell asleep! Then the call came…"MARLIN ON!" HE jumped UP. His pants--fell DOWN. No problem. William H. struggled with and landed the catch of the day…a 180 pound, Blue Marlin. Dad, always up for a road trip, would gather Mom and a couple of their friends, and go on what he dubbed, "a mystery tour." He usually had a location in mind, but withheld it from his captive audience. They would have to guess, or arrive at the destination, be it the local mountains, desert, or beach to visit family and friends. Dad's love for the ocean drew him and Mom often to favorite spots on the California coast-from San Diego to Morro Bay. One such place was a small apartment in Coronado, where the two would cheerfully go to "babysit" Kris' dog, Gidget, while she and Jack travelled. There, they could reminisce and enjoy all the land, sea, and air activities from their 3rd story balcony on San Diego Bay. (Not to mention, the party or two they had while the kids were away)!

In addition, here were a few of his favorite things:

The man's menagerie. It included: hummingbirds; a homemade pen full of doves; 'Blue Boy'-the wild Scrub Jay that Dad fed daily at the windowsill; and of course, Lightning, Thunderbolt, and Myrtle, his turtles. The red and white house. It replicated a beach house he once admired. It stood out like he did--colorful, fun, and not to be ignored! Even his dear caregivers attested that if they needed a laugh, they'd visit Dad's room, never knowing what to expect. The freshly mowed and manicured yard. Regardless of summer temperatures, William H. could be seen by his neighbors, trimming away--wearing his red handkerchief, shorts, and white rubber boots! The base of operation, his garage. He had the radio on, 24/7/365, with 'Highschool Harry,' (the wigged mannequin), posted as a sentinel on the seat of his boat, 'Mi Yot.' As a lover of the photo op. He'd line up humanity for the perfect shot……wait for it…. The 'at-home getaway'--his patio. Surrounded with ivy, lush plants, and adorned with every imaginable neon beer sign, it lit-up the evenings of barbecued-to-perfection, steaks and seafood. Dining. With Dad, it was seemingly a 3-day event, as he relished family and food. He and Marilyn, together, were always happy hosts--the more the merrier. They made it their aim to keep the entertainment lively, through card games, and storytelling on into the evening, never wanting the party to end.

Seldom seen without a cool one in his hand, he had an unbeatable zest for life, and a wonderful wife to share it. And though he could be a rascal, he had a tender heart. Dad learned late that God loved, forgave, and accepted him. We love you, and will miss you, Dad...Gramps--and we will see you on the other side!

Till then-- Cheers !