William J. Gaudet

Gaudet, William J.
April 16, 1931 - December 8, 2010
Chief Warrant Officer William J. Gaudet (US Army Ret.) peacefully and gently passed into the next world early Wednesday, Dec. 8. in San Diego, CA.
Full Honor Military services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 25 at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Born April 16, 1931 in Meriden, Conn., Bill joined the National Guard while still in high school and the US Army immediately upon graduation. At 18, he was sent to Europe, first to France and then to Germany, where he met his bride of 57 years, Bettina Steinke while both worked at the Rhein Main Air Base. They married at the Frankfurt Rathaus and honeymooned in Paris.

His postings included Chicago; Stuttgart, Germany; Tacoma, WA; Barskdale Air Base, LA; Korea; Hanau, Germany; Olathe, Kansas; and Fort Mamouth, NJ. Bill, who had become a Nike Base and Radar Systems specialist, last served in the Vietnam War. He retired in 1970 with more than 23 years of dedicated service in the Army.

He and his family then made their home in Santa Monica, CA; purchasing their first house. Bill worked for the State Justice Department computer center in Los Angeles, Toyota, Boeing and finally Hughes Aircraft before taking an early retirement in 1987. In retirement, the couple, moved to the Country Club Estates in San Luis Obispo. Bill had a beloved garage workshop where he made homemade popcorn and all manner of wooden toys for his grandchildren and others. His most advanced creation was a WWI bi-plane pedal toy. In addition to woodworking, he enjoyed long distance cycling in the vineyards, golfing and was Assistant Commander of the Retired Officers Club of SLO.

In 2004, Bettina was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and the couple moved to Coronado. First living at Coronado Shores, where they were well known on the boardwalk; Bill wearing his Princeton cap and Bettina in her white fisherman's hat would stroll daily hand-in-hand. In 2007, Bettina moved to the memory care facility at Coronado Retirement Village. Bill moved to assisted living there later.

A devoted husband, dedicated father and passionate grandfather, Bill, a veritable handyman, was great with a paint roller, plumbing, electronics and always available to help his children with home improvement projects. He found his true calling as a grandfather, taking grandchildren on glider rides, teaching them fishing, visiting classrooms for Veteran's Day and generally being an available ear. One of his finest qualities was his ability to recount fascinating stories and verbally bring them to life with vivid details for all to enjoy. A true giver always putting others needs in front of his own.

Diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocystic Leukemia (CLL) 15 years ago, perhaps as a result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, Bill would undergo ever more frequent chemo treatments, which finally sapped his strength. As he would always say, old soldiers never die, they only fade away.

Bill is survived by his wife; daughter Rebecca Motlagh (Habib) of Coronado, sons Bruce Gaudet of Las Vegas and Dirk Gaudet (Paula) of Santa Monica; grandchildren, Sean, Jamal, Jessica, Heidi, Melissa, Dante and Amelia; and great-granddaughter Natalie; sister Shirley, brothers Bob and Peter, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Charles and Arthur (Bink).

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make a donation in Bill's memory to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.