Willis (Bill) Leslie Gongaware

Bill was born in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, to Merle and Doris Gongaware, and moved to Hemet, California in 1957. He graduated from Hemet High School in 1964 and Cal Poly Pomona in 1968. Bill spent most of his working life as a math teacher, working at several schools in southern California including Acacia Middle School, Berkeley Hall School, and West Valley High School. He also worked many years for McCrometer Corporation as director of human resources. He retired in 2011 and continued living in Hemet.

In 1968, Bill married Joyann McCall and they remained happily married for over 53 years. Their children are Julie Bailey of Hemet and Grant Gongaware of Alameda, California. Bill was also the proud grandfather of Aedan and Dara Bailey, and Flynn, Hazel, Chloe, and Clark Willis Gongaware. Bill is also survived by his sister Linda Susan Bryant.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 30, at McWane Family Funeral Home at 10:00 am. A private burial at Riverside National Cemetery will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s at davisphinneyfoundation.org.