William Donald Cathcart

William (Bill) Donald Cathcart, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2017. He was born on March 21, 1925 in Santa Ana, CA to William J. and Vera L. Cathcart. He and his wife Anne resided in Diamond Springs, CA.

Bill served in both the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945 and the Army from 1950 to 1968, and retired after twenty-three years of service with the rank of First Sergeant. He was a veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam and is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, The Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star, in addition to more than twenty other medals, awards and citations. During the second World War, he participated in 14 assault landings and three major campaigns in the Pacific Theatre. During the Korean Conflict he served as a Rifle Company First Sergeant for 14 months and in the Republic of Vietnam, he was an Infantry Battalion advisor for 12 months.

After retiring from the service, Bill worked as a security policeman for McDonnell Douglas Aerospace in Sacramento, CA and also became a member of the Sacramento County Boat Patrol Reserve. He went on to work for Blue Shield of California, where he retired after 28 years. He was instrumental in organizing Medicare while in the San Francisco office and in opening satellite locations in Placerville, CA that employed many residents of El Dorado County over the years.

Bill enjoyed taking his family on camping and four-wheel drive trips. He was an avid hunter, and organized many trips with family and friends, as well as being the chief menu planner and cook. He continued his service to our country as a long-time active member of many local organizations including the American Legion Post 119, the VFW Post 2680, the Marine Corps League, the Legion of Valor, Disabled American Veterans, and the Fleet Reserve Association. He also spent time volunteering as a speaker in the local high schools in the Placerville area and as an assistant for the football teams. He later became an assistant coach and was much loved by many players and staff.

Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Margot Anne Cathcart; children Cynthia Bray and husband Richard, Rebecca Reynolds and husband Todd, and Robert Cathcart and wife Gina; grandchildren Nicholas and Austin (Bray), Julia and Matthew (Reynolds), Colten (Cathcart), and Emilee (Johnson).

Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Friday, November 17, 2017, Chapel of the Pines, 2855 Cold Springs Rd., Placerville, CA, followed by an interment with full military honors at Westwood Hills Memorial Park. A celebration of life will follow at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to El Dorado County Veterans Memorial Building Council, 130 Placerville Dr., Placerville, CA 95667. Please sign the online guestbook and leave condolence messages for the family at chapelofthepinesfunerals.com.