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William Arthur "Bill" Erwin

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San Jose State University

William Erwin Obituary

William "Bill" Arthur Erwin July 12, 1937 - June 15, 2005 Bill went to be with his Heavenly Father on June 15th after a courageous 3- 1/2 year battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born in Stockton, California and was 67. He has lived in Concord most of his life. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. His loving family will sadly miss him. He leaves his devoted wife of 45 years, Beverly, his loving sons and their wives, Michael and Julie, Kevin and Eileen; and his adored granddaughters, Michelle, Megan, Stephanie and Haley. Also surviving are his brother and wife, David and Susan Erwin of Indiana, and his sister and her husband, Kathy and Dan Hatfield of Concord. He was predeceased by his parents, Oma and Harold Erwin, and in-laws, Alma and Roscoe Reynolds. Bill graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1955, and then received his AA degree from DVC. Following that, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from San Jose State and his teaching credential from St Mary's college. He was a physicist for GE Nuclear Center in Pleasanton, working there for 19 years, and a physics and math teacher at Mt. Diablo High School for 16. He also served in the Navy for 4 years. He was very involved in his community. Bill was a co-founder of Concord Athletic League where he served on the board of directors, coached soccer and baseball, refereed and umpired. He was the first coach of girl's soccer at Mt. Diablo High School. Bill was a past president of MDHS parents club, the past president of the National Catalina 27 Assoc., a member of the U.S. Power Squadron where he enjoyed teaching navigation classes and recently received the "Prince Henry the Navigator Award." He was on the board of the Bay Point Rod and Gun Club, and a proud member of the NRA. Bill enjoyed reading, sailing, biking, traveling and camping, but especially being with his family. We wish to thank Sutter Hospice for their loving support and care for the past 19 months. If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131 Fairfax, VA 22038-1131. Friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Saturday, June 25, 11:00 A.M. at NorthCreek Church, 2303 Ygnacio Valley Rd., in Walnut Creek.

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Published by Contra Costa Times from Jun. 20 to Jun. 23, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for William Erwin

Sponsored by Your Loving Wife, Beverly .

29 Entries

June 4, 2015

MY DEAREST BILL,

THIS DAY, THE 4TH OF JUNE, WILL ALWAYS BE A SPECIAL DAY FOR ME

FIFTY FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY, DADDY WALKED ME DOWN THE AISLE AND GAVE ME TO YOU IN MARRIAGE LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT WE WOULD ONLY HAVE 45 YEARS TOGETHER. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR THAT TIME WITH YOU. WE HAD A WONDERFUL LIFE TOGETHER.

YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF OUR WONDERFUL FAMILY. MICHAEL AND JULIE ARE ENJOYING THEIR GRAND KIDS, PARKER, RYLIE AND, SOON TO ARRIVE, LOGAN. WHAT A JOY THEY ARE! MICHELLE AND TIM ARE WONDERFUL PARENTS.

MEGAN AND BRANDON ARE VERY HAPPILY MARRIED AND, WHEN THEY CAN GET AWAY FROM WORK, LOVE TO TRAVEL.

KEVIN AND EILEEN ARE TRYING TO COME TO GRIPS WITH BEING EMPTY NESTERS. HALEY IS HEADED FOR OKLAHOMA FOR COLLEGE. THEY HAD A WONDERFUL GRADUATION PARTY FOR HER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. WE AREN'T LOOKING FORWARD TO HER BEING SO FAR AWAY.

I AM SO PROUD OF STEPHANIE. SHE IS A SENIOR AT SAC STATE AND WORKS ALMOST FULL TIME. SHE HAS A WONDERFUL BOYFRIEND, ROBERT.

SO YOU SEE, YOUR FAMILY HAS GROWN AND DOING WELL. I SO WISH YOU WERE HERE TO ENJOY THEM. YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD.

I FEEL LIKE I AM GROWING OLD FAST. I'M SURE IF YOU WERE STILL WITH ME AND IN GOOD HEALTH, WE WOULD BE DOING THE THINGS WE ENJOYED TOGETHER FOR ALL THOSE YEARS. OUR MORNING WALKS,SAILING AND TRAVELING WITH THE TRAVEL TRAILER, OR JUST STAYING HOME AND ENJOYING A GOOD BASEBALL GAME AND EACH OTHER.

I WILL ALWAYS MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU. I FEEL
SO BLESSED TO HAVE HAD YOU IN MY LIFE. GOD IS GOOD!

YOUR FOREVER LOVING WIFE,
BEVERLY

July 13, 2013

Dear Bill: I can't believe it has been so many years since you went to be with our Lord. I think of you often and so wish I could phone you and just chat. Susan and I were in CA this past spring and we stopped by to see Beverly. Wish we had more time to spend with her, but she also was busy. She says the family keeps her busy and the senior center also. She seems to be OK. Susan says she promises to keep better in touch this year than she did in the past.

We bought a new house and have finally moved in. You would have been proud of me brother. I think I have finally gotten things worked out and have a wonderful wife, grandkids and now 3 great grandkids. You were right. There is nothing better than family.

Love you and miss you terribly.

Your brother,
David

July 12, 2013

Happy Birthday Bill. Oh how I wish you were here to sail with Mike. He would love nothing better! I also wish you were here to be a part of Parker and Rylie's lives. You would have gotten a kick out of their personalities and would have enjoyed them so.

Bev misses you so much but is doing well. She knows that is what you want for her. She is still busy at the Senior Center. I don't know what they would do without her! She is also a blessing to Michelle as she helps her whenever she can with the little ones.

We miss you so!!

Love,
Julie

Beverly Erwin

July 12, 2012

My Dearest Bill,
This would have been your 75th Birthday.
How I wish you were here. We would have been out celebrating, big time. Julie always remembers our "Special Days" and
invited be over for dinner tonight.

Life has changed so much since you left me. The Granddaughters are mostly
grown. Haley will be a sophmore and is
still playing soccer and has added LaCrosse to her skills, playing both in
her freshman year at Corandelet. Steph
just graduated from there and will be
attending Sac State in Aug. Megan passed her last CPA test and is doing well in her career at KPMG. She is going with a really nice guy that she works with and I think it is pretty serious. Michelle and Tim have given
us another beautiful Great Grandbaby. Her
name is Rylinn and she will be 1 yr on
the 17th of Aug. She and Parker are such a joy. You would have been so proud of your family and would have enjoyed these little ones so much. I
hate that they didn't get to know you
and that you aren't here to see how great they are.

Michael and Julie moved back to the area in May and it is so nice to have them close by. Michael has taken up
sailing and throughly enjoying it. He
had a great teacher.

Kevin and Eileen stay busy with the girls and their jobs. Kevin is still
Pres of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club.

You set high standards for our boys and
they have not let you down. They are
such wonderful sons and, as you said before your passing, You knew they would watch after their MOM, and they have done a good job of that.

I miss our sailing, trailer trips and
camping, but most of all, I just miss
having you by my side everyday. This is a
void that only you could fill. I cherish all the great memories that we
made in our wonderful 45 year marriage
and feel so blessed to have shared them
with you.

I'm still filling my time with volunteer work at the Senior Center 4
days a week and Tuesdays I take off to
spend helping Michelle with the little
ones.

Well, Happy 75th Birthday, my LOVE.

It is hard to believe it has been 7
years since you went to be with our LORD. I will always miss you.

Until we met again,just know, I will
always love you and cherish the time we
had together.

All my Love,forever
Beverly

Beverly Erwin

June 15, 2010

Hi Sweetheart,

It has been 5 years ago tonight since you went to be with the Lord. The special family times are especially hard because we want you there to share with us. Life does go on and I cope pretty well most of the time considering my GREAT LOSE.
I know I have God to thank for keeping
me going. You have left behind a great legacy. Our wonderful Sons and their wives, 4 beautiful Granddaughters, one with a wonderful husband and now an adorable Great Grandson. Plus all the students whose lives you touched and those you
coached in sports. You were a wonderful role model.

April 14th Michelle presented us with a beautiful baby boy, Parker. He is so adorable and I wish you were here to enjoy your Great Grandson. Michelle and Tim are wonderful parents

On June 4th, which would have been our 50th anniversary, Kevin and family took me to Black Angus,(special because our last anniversary together, a few days before you passed away, we had enjoyed takeout
from there). Kevin ask me to spend the night. A good night not to be alone. They are so thoughtful.

This past weekend,Sat. June 12th Megan graduated from Cal Poly with a great GPA. You would be so proud of her. She has a job waiting at KPMG, a top accounting firm. I know how important education was to you. I cried most of the way to the ceremony, wishing you were there.

Steph has a very nice boyfriend that we all approve of and he just graduated from De La Salle.
Kenny took Steph to his Senior Ball and they were such a handsome couple. Stephanie looked so beautiful.

Haley is still playing soccer and has such great talent. She is such a joy to watch. It is hard to believe she will be starting 8th grade in the fall.

Kevin and Eileen, Michael and Julie are all doing well. They are a great
support group. How blessed I am to have had you in my life for 48 years,
45 in marriage, and to have our wonderful family and dear friends that are always there for me.

I took your advise and keep busy at the Senior Center. I am Office Manager and I love my job and my friends there. It helps pass the time.

I have so many wonderful memories of our life together and there will always be an unfillable void without you.

Until we are together again, I will cherish our great love and memories.

Your loving wife forever,
Beverly

Donald OConnell

February 10, 2010

Hi Mr. Erwin, I wanted to leave you a note to say thank you for all that you did for us. You treated us with respect and dignity and helped us find it in ourselves.

I am from the class of '86 at Mt. Diablo and I was a freshman when you first came to the school in ’82 and bailed us out as we didn't have a teacher. You created an extra class (Electronics X) when I maxed out what I could take and you let me be your teacher assistant for an additional class (you gave me a pass that allowed me to move freely around school and dated it the first and last days of school). My father was very ill my entire time at Mt. Diablo and passed in ’87. I spent a lot of ’85 and ’86 doing youthful and foolish things—you treated me well regardless. I often think of you and know how much my four years with you shaped my life and the man I am today.

You came to my and Michelle’s wedding in 1992. We now have five children. I coach little league baseball and soccer and try to act as a mentor to young adults on the ultimate field. I have had a fantastic career in software/electronics. I started with software automation in PCB production (pick and place robotics and test equipment). I helped create the world’s first smart phones and PDA’s in the mid ‘90’s. I hit it pretty big at the number one tech IPO of 1999.

I now own an American Outsourcing company that doesn’t send any work overseas and instead creates jobs in rural Northern California. Today, we are about 35 people and have been around for 7.5 years. The company is built on humbleness, open communication, visibility, honor, trust, and dedication to things greater than ourselves.

I want you to know that I think of you a lot. I know that you had a significant role in building me to what I am today. My children thank you. My wife thanks you. My employees and business colleagues thank you.

Love,

Don O’Connell

Ed Barron

March 12, 2008

Great Teacher!

Tamra erwin

December 23, 2007

Hi Bill,
Just thought I would wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year since it is just around the corner. I hope you enjoy your day. My dad is doing ok these days.
I'll close for now. Love Tammy

Beverly Erwin

June 4, 2007

June 4, 2007
Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart. This would have been our 47th. The kids took me to dinner in honor of our Special Day. How I wish you were here. I miss you so much. I am so glad that we had 45 wonderful years and that I have so many great memories that we made during our time together. I feel so blessed to have had you in my life. The kids have been such a comfort and support to me. We sure have a great family. Another of God's wonderful gifts. Until we meet again, I will keep you in my heart and remember the life we shared.

I Love You Now and Forever, Beverly

Susan Erwin

June 1, 2007

Hello Bill: This week has been quite a week for our family. My oldest grand daughter Danielle graduated from High School Wed. evening. I managed to not flood the hall with my tears of pride, and recalled how proud you were when Michelle graduated. Dave and I think of you often, and truly miss our chats and visits. I still am keeping the "watchful eye" on Beverly as I promised, even though it is via long distance. She is doing better Bill, but I know she misses you every day as we all do. Take care, and we love you.

Susan Erwin

February 4, 2007

Dear Bill
Well, if finally happened! The Colts won the Super Bowl tonight. All through the game, I thought of the times we spent together rooting for our respective teams. I so missed being able to call you tonight and "gloat." I know you are with all of us, and we miss you terribly. With love, Susan

Tamra Erwin

November 26, 2006

Happy belated Thanksgiving to you Bill, Hope that you a wonderful day whatever you may have been doing. Still miss coming to see you and Beverly. Love Tammy

Stephanie Erwin

September 8, 2006

Hi Grandpa! I am going to a new school this year called St. Agnes. Haley and I both are. It is a private school, so we have to wear a uniform. I haven't wriiten in a while because I have a lot of things going on: soccer (the season is just starting), school (and homework), guitar, and whatever else I might be doing. Haley's birthday is in 3 days, and mine just passed. I'm 12 now and Haley's going to be 9. I wish you were here to be with us and give us bear hugs. I miss those. I love you and I hope heaven is great! Ilove you all the way to the stars and all the way back down!

Love always, and always forever,

Stephanie Renee Erwin

Susan Erwin

August 4, 2006

August 4, 2006

Although this is no special "event" I have been sitting here thinking of Bill most of the day. I truly do miss you Bill and have done as you requested and not lost touch with Beverly. I love her as the sister she is to me! I will always remain with her. I was out near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Brickyard Nascar Race is this weekend) and saw a young man with a Raiders shirt on, and immediately thought of you. I know that you are with our heavenly Father in heaven and at peace. Dave and I miss you and speak of you often. We will never forget our times together. With much love, Susan

Beverly Erwin

June 4, 2006

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart

This would have been our 46th. I miss you terribly. I celebrated today by taking the family to Black Angus. I know you were there with us in spirit. I have fond memories of our 45th when the kids brought us dinner from there and helped us celebrate our last one together. I know how truly blessed I was to have you for those 45 years. I love you dearly and always will.

Your Loving Wife,

Beverly

Tamra erwin

April 15, 2006

Hey Bill, Happy Easter to you. Still miss coming to see you. I call and talk to Beverly once an while. I guess she is keeping busy. We have been getting a lot of rain. It is suppose to rain tomorrow I was hoping it wouldn't on Easter but who knows. I'll go for now. Love Tammy

Steph Erwin

February 20, 2006

Hi again! You know how I said I had a D in science class. Well, I brought it up to a B! It's 2nd semester right now, and I am doing really well. I love you!

Stephanie Erwin

January 26, 2006

Hi Grandpa. I miss you a lot! life has been so hard without you and your bearhugs! I don't know if you already know this, but on the 24th the new Yellowcard CD came out and we bought it off itunes. It's a really good CD. Maybe you should ask God if you can listen to it. Gramma came to my soccer games this weekend. Our team was in state cup. We won 1-0, tied 1-1, and lost to the best team in the state 4-0. We did really well. I wish you could have seen it. And in school, I am doing pretty well. In reading, PE, math, woodshop, and computers i have an A. In core I have a B and in science I have a D. My science teacher isn't very nice but oh well. Anyways, I hope you are doing well in heaven. In middle school I have made many, many new friends. I love you!

Lance Rakish

January 25, 2006

Hey Mr. Erwin. I'm not sure if you'd remember the blonde kid in the front row of your Electronics I class back in 1986, but rest assured, that kid will never forget you. That was truly a fun class with an extraordinary teacher. You. I still have my first porject we made in that class; a little circuit board with 2 LEDs that flash back and forth. I remember the name was one that made sophomoric teenagers like me giggle - the Astable Multivibrator. I still have it and it still works! Ever the underacheiver in my early years, I developed the 'spark' you helped put into me and finally found my calling in the US Navy as a Nuclear Power plant operator. Thank you for the inspiration and guidance. You are missed, sir.

Steph Erwin

December 25, 2005

Merry Christas Grandpa! I love you so much and santa wishes you a merry Xmas!

love you!

Susan and David Erwin

December 24, 2005

Dear Bev:

Have been spending a lot of time thinking about you, Bill and the entire Erwin clan. I know that this season is difficult and Dave and I are so grateful for your sons and their families. We are sure that it eases your pain somewhat. Thank you so much for the lovely poem in the Christmas card and we are certain that Bill is watching over all of us as we rejoice in the Christmas season. Take care and have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. We love you

Tamra erwin

December 23, 2005

MERRY CHRISTMAS BILL, Just let you know I was thinking about you still miss coming to visit and enjoyed all of the other visits with you talked to Bev not to long ago she was doing fine keeping busy. I will go now. Still miss ya. Love Tammy

Tamra Erwin

November 23, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving Bill, Just thought I would take time to write to you. Still miss coming to see you. Well I will close for now. Love Tammy

Tamra Erwin

October 13, 2005

Hey Bill, I miss coming to see you but I know you are in a better place now. I emailed Bev I got a reply back from her I guess she has been busy. I'm off on Vac this week didn't travel very far just staying local and doing what ever I want I am going to have breakfast with a friend of mine that I use to work with this morning. I'll close for now and go have some coffee. Love Tammy

Tammy Erwin

July 10, 2005

Happy Early Birthday Bill! Wanted to wish you a happy birthday while I was thinking about it I just signed my Uncle's guest book to for his birthday the same day as yours. I miss asking about you when I email Beverly. I have been checking on her to see how she is doing. Dad and I are planing to a trip up to Eureka in a another week. I'll close for now you have a real good birthday. Love Tammy

Stephanie Erwin

June 24, 2005

Dear Grandpa and Grandma,

I love you so much! Grandpa, you are so important to me. I love you so very much! Happy 45th anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa. Happiness is sailing with you.!!

Love,

Stephanie

Tamra Erwin

June 22, 2005

Bev & Family, I enjoyed all of my visits with Bill I'm glad I got to know him better. He is in a better place now. I will miss him a lot. One thing I will say he never complained. Uncle Ken and Tammy's thoughts go out to all of you at this to time. Love Tammy and Uncle Ken.

David Erwin

June 22, 2005

Dear Family: I look at a picture I have of my brother Bill and smile. A wonderful man. I know all of you will miss him and cherish your memories of him like I do. A wonderful husband, father, grandfather, teacher, brother and friend. There are none better than Bill. Love, David

Susan Erwin

June 20, 2005

Dear Family: Words cannot express our loss. I could not have "hand picked" a better brother in law than Bill. I will miss our "sparing sessions" and our sports chats. I know that heaven is a bit brighter now that a truly wonderful star has been added. Take care Bev and family and my love goes out to all of you. With much love, Susan

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