WILLIAM CHARLES FAIRBANK Age 83, of Riverside, passed away on September 12 from complications of surgery. He was born on December 17, 1926, in Woodland, California, the son of the late James Partridge and Ruth Renfro Fairbank. He grew up in Davis, California and joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1944. After the war, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and finished his B.S. in Agricultural Engineering at UC Davis in 1950. Bill worked as an Agricultural Engineer for his entire career, first with Food Machinery Corporation, then as a farm advisor, and finally becoming a Cooperative Extension Agricultural Engineer at UC Davis and eventually UC Riverside. He was instrumental in advancements in dairying and farm mechanization throughout California and wrote and published many articles and bulletins on related subjects. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Patricia Holtz Fairbank. Together they resided in several communities in California, including Riverside for the past 45 years. Bill is survived by his two children and their spouses: James F. Fairbank (Jacalyn) of Erie, PA, and Mary Louise Mermilliod (Gerald) of Riverside. He was lovingly called "Papa" by his four grandchildren: Sarah King of Riverside, Jenny King of Pullman, WA, and Kristen and Michael Fairbank, both of Erie, PA. He is also survived by his sister Betty of BC, Canada. Interment at Riverside National Cemetery will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Charter Hospice, 1012 East Cooley Drive, Suite G, Colton, CA 92324.

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Published by The Press-Enterprise on Sep. 21, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for William Fairbank

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Tyson Crandell

September 21, 2010

You have my condolences. I don't think I can make the services but your family is in my prayers.

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