Charles William Fastenau

Charles William “Bill” Fastenau, born January 5, 1931 in Van Nuys, CA, passed away January 26, 2021 of natural causes. Bill was a resident of Merced, CA for 42 years. He previously lived in Los Banos, Ca for 33 years. He was a Farmer and Owner Operator of Airtime Communications.

Up to the age of 14, Bill was raised in Van Nuys, Southern California where he would ride his bike in the countryside, now filled with freeways and businesses. Bill graduated from Los Banos High School, Class of 1950 and he was an Army veteran of the Korean War, 7th Infantry Division. He always had a strong affiliation with everything military and he was a private pilot in his early years.

Bill’s legacy is his eight children, whom he and his wife Carol of 43 years, married January 20, 1957, raised in a Christian home, sending them to parochial school and mandating church attendance. He grew up on a farm and he raised his children on a farm in Los Banos. Teaching them a work ethic and being a superb role model of someone who worked tireless hours to provide for his family. During those formative years, he bought a Winnebago and took his family on many journeys. To New York, Texas, Idaho, Canada and many camping trips. In his 20+ years of farming, he grew and harvested millions of dollars of produce and alfalfa and in some years, did not profit. He was president of the local Hay Growers Association, 1967-1968. He was well respected in the farming community. In 1978, he gave up the farming life and moved the family to Merced, where he began his second career in radio communications, what he did previously as a pastime, being a ham radio enthusiast. In time, he became part owner of his own business, Airtime Communications. Which ran out of Castle Air Force Base. In 1999, Bill lost his Carol to a long-term illness, not before they traveled to Europe with a group from Mercy Hospital. Later on, he continued his travels with Barbara to China, Japan, Hawaii and many places in the U.S. He enjoyed square dancing and volunteering at the Castle Air Museum. Bill attended Our Lady of Mercy and later Central Presbyterian Church.

A celebration of Bill’s 90th birthday was held in November and he loved being surrounded by his friends and family. Bill will always be remembered as a friend to everyone. A wonderful dad, grandpa and uncle. A light to his ever growing family.

Bill is preceded in death by his loving wife Carol Fastenau; his sister, Connie Mae and his brothers, Henry, Jack and Mike Fastenau.

He is survived by his loving companion of many years, Barbara Hoffman; his children, David Fastenau (Kathy) of Portland, OR., Charles William Fastenau (Kathi) of Klamath Falls, OR, Paul Fastenau (Joann) of Merced, CA, Robert Fastenau (Cheryl) of Ventura, Ca, Elaine Beck (Ron) of Newport, OR., Steve Fastenau of Merced, CA., Maryann Bricco (Darren) of Newport, OR. and Joann Crow (Kevin) of Dundee, OR. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation for Bill on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 4-7p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home located at 1490 B Street, Merced, CA. A graveside service will by on Monday, February 8, at 11 a.m. at Winton District Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Dr., Atwater, CA. 95301