William Edward Landin

Bill was born on April 20th, 1929 at Swedish Hospital in St. Paul, MN. His Mother, Svea Newman Landin was the daughter of Axel and Christina Newman. His Father, William Russell Landin was the son of William John Landin and Virgina Landin. Bill has one brother, George Fletcher Landin who was born on July 6th, 1933. Bill went to Jenny Lind Elementary School and Patrick Henry Junior High School both in Minneapolis.

Bill had his first job at age nine picking flowers for the local greenhouse. At 12 years he delivered newspapers for the Chicago Herald American. At 14 years he was an usher at Avon Theater he was fired for necking on duty. Bill worked as a stock boy for Woolworth's and a shoe salesman for Kinney Shoes. He entered the Army at age 21.

Bill's family moved to Chicago in September 1941 and lived on Luna Avenue. Bill attended Foreman High School and graduated in 1946. Bill was a Captain in the ROTC, worked several jobs. He attended college at River Falls State Teachers College and graduated in 1950.

Bill was drafted into the US Army on March 1st, 1951. He served with the 13th AAA Gun Battalion in the Chicago area. He was honorably discharged March 10th, 1953.

After the Army, Bill went to work for National Cylinder Gas Company as a cryogenic engineer.

Bill married Virginia Lee Vinci on June 21st, 1952. They had two sons; William George Landin was born on October 10th, 1954 in Chicago and Thomas James Landin was born on January 1st, 1958 in Elgin, Il. The family lived on Fir Street in Carpentersville, Il. Bill and Virginia divorced in November 1960.

Bill married Alethea Snyder on December 10th, 1960. After four yeas in Illinois, they relocated to Whittier, CA near Los Angeles. They had two daughters; Amy Jane Landin was born on October 2nd, 1961 in Elgin, IL and Elizabeth Jane Landin was born on November 12, 1965 in Whittier, CA.

The family relocated back to Rogers Park and Oak Park in Chicago between 1966 and 1972. They relocated with Bill's company now called Chemetron to Reedsburg, WI. They were back in Chicago by 1974 and bought their home in Downer's Grove in 1975. In 1978 Chemetron changed its name to Air Liquide.

William's Father, Wiliam Russell passed on January 1st, 1984. His Mother, Svea Newman passed on January 29th, 1984.

Bill and Alethea divorced in March 1989. Bill transferred to Chattanooga, TN in 1990 where he worked as a service instructor and warehouse manager with Air Liquide. The Chattanooga facility closed in 1994 and his job was transferred to Country Side, IL.

Bill retired at that time but continued to work with Air Liquide as a consultant through 1996 culminating a 43-year career with the company. Bill purchased a mobile home in Ooltawah, TN in July 1991 and another in Punta Gorda, FL in April 2002. He enjoyed his pontoon boat and houseboat in Tennessee.

Bill met Nancy Carol Pierce nee Hamilton on August 21, 2002. They were introduced by friends and started to e-mail and talk on the phone. Nancy lived in Orlando, FL at the time. Soon they were head over heals in love and married on December 1st, 2003. Bill inherited four step children and several grand children who quickly came to love him.

They decided to permanently relocate to River Forest Village in Punta Gorda. Unfortunately, they moved in on August 13th, 1994; the same day Hurricane Charlie made Port Charlotte ground zero. Their home was destroyed and they spent the next 18 months rebuilding a new home. They have enjoyed their new home and the River Forest community very much in the past few years. Over the last six years they have traveled extensively throughout the United States. The mountain country of the West held particular appeal for Bill. They also traveled to Greece and Italy with Bill's daughter Amy and her husband Yanni. They never missed a chance to visit the Chattanooga area and it has remained his favorite place. His ashes will be inurned at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

All who knew Bill loved him. His wit and charm never failed to endear him to his best friends, the restaurant server he just met or the medical personnel who cared for him. He maintained his grace and dignity even through his final days.

Bill will be missed dearly. We love you!