Updated: 14 Dec 2008
Published in the Fresno Bee, Fresno, CA
In Loving Memory Of William Carl McCollum JR.
Bill passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2001, at the age of 74, after a lengthy illness.
He was born on July 13, 1926, in Oklahoma City. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Bill went on to college, graduating with a soil science major from Oklahoma State University. He moved to Idaho in 1949, where he met and married Lorraine Sheppard in Twin Falls. Bill and Lorraine "Ted", celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary November of 2000. Bill worked as a field/sales Rep. for FMC, retiring in 1987, after a 38+ year career. His job took Bill and family from Idaho to Washington, eventually settling in Clovis in 1970. Bill's love and enthusiasm for skiing earned him the nickname "Wild Bill" on the slopes of Sierra Summit, where he could be found virtually every weekend. He passed his passion for skiing on to his family who eventually all became involved in the Fresno Ski Patrol. His experience rendering first aid to skiers led him to teach First Aid and CPR for both the American Red Cross and Clovis Adult School for 25 years, until the onset of illness. Bill was a tower of strength to his family, was an ever present fixture in his wife and children's lives and thoroughly enjoyed his grandchildren. In addition to working, skiing and raising his family, Bill faithfully attended and served as a deacon and usher in several churches over the years. He was a member of the University Presbyterian Church.
Bill is survived by his wife, Lorraine; his daughters and their husbands, Sue and Ron Nitz, Ann and Ron Quitoriano, and Mary and Tom Sullivan and his grandchildren, Matthew Nitz, Kristen Nitz, Zachary Sullivan and Ashlee Sullivan. Bill is also survived by his father, William Carl Sr., 98, of Kilgore, TX, and brother Ernest of Jerome, ID.
Visitation will be held at Boice Funeral Home on Friday, June 22, 2001, from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. A Celebration of Bill's Life will be held at University Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 23, 2001, at 10:00 A.M., followed by a brief graveside service at Fresno Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to University Presbyterian Church, the American Red Cross or the donor's favorite charity. BOICE FUNERAL HOME308 Pollasky, Clovis 299-4372
Source: Rootsweb Message Board