Grandpa...

Birth:	To Remember you & keep you in my heart..... I love you forever Grandpa.... Jan. 26, 1921 Provo Utah County  Papa to my kids,  always the BEST Grandpa to me. Utah, USA
Death:	Jun. 30, 2007 Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County) Santa Barbara County California, USA
William O. Beswick, loving husband, father and papa passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Maria on June 30, 2007 with his family by his side. Bill was born on January 26, 1921 in Provo, Utah to Ernest and Amanda Beswick. In 1940 Bill joined the United States Army serving in the Medical Corps. In early 1941 he was transferred to Santa Barbara, CA where he met the love of his life, Gena Bavaresco on December 3, 1941- Gena's birthday. Four days later, their first date was cut short when they heard over the radio that all military personnel was to report back to their bases because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Bill and Gena were married six months later. On June 8, 2007, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Bill and Gena were blessed with two children, Barbara Jean and Dan Lee. After Bill's military service, he and Gena settled in Santa Barbara. A mechanic by trade, Bill worked for several businesses prior to purchasing his own shop in 1962. His first shop was Bill's Seaside Service located at State Street and La Cumbre Road. He later owned Bill's Union 76 Auto Repair on State Street. Bill had a great sense of community and served in the Uptown Lion's Club where he held several offices, including President. Bill was also a lifetime member of the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613. As an active lodge member he participated in many activities including the monthly spaghetti feed and the construction of the RV rest area located on lodge property. Always an avid camper he and Gena became charter members of the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613 Caravaneers. In 1999, twenty one years after his retirement from the auto repair business he and Gena relocated to Santa Maria where they could be closer to their family. Adamant about remaining a full lodge member of the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613, he joined the Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538 as an associate member. In his lifetime Bill enjoyed a variety of activities. He held a private pilot's license. He loved boating and riding motorcycles. A master of all things mechanical, he loved his toys! It was a love that was passed on to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bill will be remembered by all those who knew him as a fun-loving, free-spirited man who always had a smile on his face. Bill's legacy to his family and friends will be his zest for life. There wasn't anything he hadn't tried at least once. He lived his life to the fullest with no regrets. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his son Dan, a sister Margaret and a brother Ernest. He is survived by the love of his life, Gena. He also leaves behind his loving family, daughter Barbara Cadam of Santa Maria, grandchildren and their spouses, Ron and Sandy Menane of Nipomo, Chas and Tammy Menane of Nipomo and Tim and Jeri (Menane) Sharpe of Arroyo Grande. He is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. Bill is survived by his sister, Mildred Lerwill as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Marian Hospice and to his caregivers, Judy, Mercy, Kay and Cindy of St. Matthew Care Giver Agency. A visitation will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2007 from 5pm to 7pm at the Welch Ryce Haider Funeral Chapel in Santa Barbara. Funeral services will be Friday, July 6, 2007 at 10:00 am also at the Welch Ryce Haider Funeral Chapel with internment immediately following at the Goleta Cemetary. A BBQ celebrating Bill's life will be held at the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613 on Sunday, July 15, 2007 at 1:00 pm. Arrangements are under the care of Welch Ryce Haider Funeral Chapel, 15 East Sola Street, Santa Barbara, CA. Published in the Santa Maria Times from 7/4/2007 - 7/6/2007.