William A. Siglin was born April 26, 1924, in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Morris and Clara (Minder) Siglin. He went home to be with the Lord peacefully on April 5, 2014, at the age of 89, where he is reunited with his wife, Billie, and many friends and relatives.
He is survived by his son, Les Siglin, of Sun City, Arizona; daughter, Carolyn Downey of Atwater, daughters and sons-in-law, Pam and Dan Goza, of Kuna, Idaho, and Janet and Fred Rathbun of Mariposa; one brother, Danny Siglin; thirteen grandchildren, Callie Wilson Pitts, Emily, Jared, and Joshua Siglin, Amy Downey, Michael and Shelley Goza, Tracy and Tischa Shankland, Joel and Heidi Fitzwater, Jason and Jen Fitzwater, and eight great grandchildren, Kyra Wilson, Caitlyn Pitts, Dominic Wotila, Ayden Haygood, Jacob and Kourtney Goza, and Kylea and Bailey Shankland. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and the loving staff and residents of Park Merced and church family of First Baptist Church of Merced.
Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Billie; his grandson, Barrett I. Routh; son-in-law Earl Downey; his parents, Morris and Clara Siglin; brothers, Morris, Clair, and Marvin Siglin; and sisters, Marie O’Conner and Kathryn Charles.
Bill joined the Army Air Corp during World War II. He met and married his wife Billie Maxwell in 1944, while he was stationed at Castle Air Force Base in Merced. Following his active duty as a pilot, he remained in the Air Force Reserves and retired as Lt. Colonel in 1969. He obtained a private pilot’s license and also instructed others. He worked as an electrician for local contractors and through the IBEW in commercial construction for 37 years. He served as a member of the Merced County Grand Jury, a responsibility he took very seriously. Bill was a man of strong principles, which he instilled in his children. He always had a bountiful garden and fruit trees that he shared with those around him. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards with family and friends, bowling, softball, fly-fishing, and hunting. His life was an endless stream of projects that displayed his skills and inventive, practical mind. A member of First Baptist Church, he was a strong Christian man who faithfully served the Lord as a Dad, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, choir director, deacon, youth worker, choir member, handyman, special prayer warrior and friend. The last three years he resided at The Hampshire and Park Merced where he made many new friends, and rekindled relationships with friends from his past. The family would like to thank Park Merced and Hinds Hospice staff for the loving care they provided for him and our family.
Bill was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother in law, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 10th, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Stratford Evans Funeral Home, 1490 B Street, Merced.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 11th, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 500 Buena Vista, Merced, followed by a reception, then interment at 3 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1480 B Street, Merced.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the First Baptist Church Youth Mission Fund, 500 Buena Vista, Merced, CA 95348; Hinds Hospice, 410 West Main Street, Suite A, Merced, CA 95340; or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Funeral Home, Merced.
Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.
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