William Frank Espinosa

William F. Espinosa was born April 15, 1921 and died Sept 13, 2013. He was 92 yrs old. His death, from complications of pneumonia, was unexpected as he was unusually healthy for his age, took no prescription medications, didn't have a regular doctor and was driving up to the time he went into the hospital. His Driver's License had just been renewed on his birthday for another 5 years. He had developed some congestion which progressed until he had shortness of breath. He was taken to the hospital, diagnosed with bi-lateral pneumonia and two weeks later he passed.

Bill, as he was called by most who knew him, graduated from Riverside's Poly High in 1939 and went to work in the aircraft manufacturing industry. With the onset of WWII, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was initially stationed at Norton AFB in San Bernardino. He requested overseas duty and was shipped to India where he worked in a repair depot repairing all types of military fighter, cargo and transport planes that were flying combat missions from U.S. bases in China and Burma. Because of his prior aircraft industry experience, he rose in rank very quickly and soon became a Master Sergeant. Bill was very proud of his military service and had many stories to tell, including his depot's support for the planes of the Flying Tigers. After WWII, Bill

continued working on aircraft throughout a long civil service career, first at Norton AFB, then at Travis AFB in Fairfield, California. After his civil service retirement, he and his second wife, Beverly, managed motels in Fairfield and Pacific Grove. Their leisure travels took them to Hawaii, Europe, the Holy Land and a cruise through the Panama Canal. Bill eventually returned to his Southern California roots in Hemet where he and Beverly lived for many years. Bill, was the ninth of ten children, born to Antonio and Beatrice (Martinez) Espinosa of Riverside and a fifth generation Californian. Both the Espinosa's and Martinez's were pioneer

families of the Riverside area. In approximately 1834, Bill's maternal great-grandfather brought 14 families from Abiquiu, New Mexico via the Old Spanish Trail to help protect the Jurupa Rancho (now the City of Riverside) from marauding Indians of Apple Valley. This was done at the request of his friend Juan Bandini, the then owner of Rancho Jurupa. Bill's maternal ancestors had migrated from Spain and settled in Abiquiu. For their services Bandini gave the families land by the Santa Ana river in an area called La Placita, which later became known as Agua Mansa. Bill's maternal Grandfather, Jose Antonio Martinez is buried at the Agua Mansa Cemetery, among other old families that came here from New Mexico. Only one of Bill's sibling's is still living. Eleanor ("Pansy") Ramirez, who will be 98 years old in January.

Bill was predeceased by his first wife of 14 years, Bertha Espinosa in 1965; step-son Bobby Thomas in 1988; second wife of 41 years, Beverly Espinosa in 2008; and daughter Phyllis Fitzgerald (William) in 2013. He is survived by children Arthur Alvarez (Frank), Bill Espinosa (Marcie), Carli Zarzana (Rob); and step-children Grayce Warren-Boulton and David Swift (Eleanor). He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was a hard worker and a good provider for his family. He was a proud man with a very positive outlook on life who was fortunate to have lived a healthy and independent life until a couple weeks before his death. He brought a lot of laughs and happiness to us. His passing leaves a void in all of our hearts.

Rest in peace Bill.