William Charles Heckert

FUNERAL HOME

Thomas Miller Mortuary

1118 East Sixth Street

Corona, California

William Heckert Obituary

WILLIAM CHARLES HECKERT Former Corona resident of 63 years, William Heckert, passed away. Born July 24, 1920 in Schenectady, New York, he died December 28, 2007 at his home in Chico, California. Mr. Heckert lived in Utica, new York until 1940 when called to active duty in the army, where he served in the South Pacific. Upon release from the Army as a 1st Lieutenant, he came to Corona in April of 1944. He joined the Corona Police Department in May 1944 and served 36 years as Patrolman, Motorcycle Traffic Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant and Captain before being appointed Assistant Chief of Police. He retired from the Department in August 1980. During his early years with the City of Corona, he also served as part-time Recreation Director and Building Inspector while still performing his duties as a police officer. He was a founding charter member of the International Association of Juvenile Officers, served as President of the Riverside County Peace Officers Association, instructing basic and advanced law enforcement classes through adult education and established many innovative programs for dealing with juveniles and the Information and Communications Section of the Police Department. He was a volunteer assistant varsity football coach at Corona Senior High School from 1944 to 1952. He assisted in the planning and development of the Good Samaritan Boy's Home, which facility expanded to eleven satellite homes and he served eleven years as a member of its' Board of Directors - two years were spent as Chairman of the Board. He formed the first National Guard Company in Corona. He is survived by his daughter, Robbin Heckert-Bryant; son-in-law, George Bryant; grandsons, Shawn Bryant and Dylan Bryant of Chico, CA; granddaughters, Kristen Knoeckel of Bozeman, MT, Susan Knoeckel of Arcata, CA and grandson, David Schwartz of Glendale, CA; nieces, Geraldine Getz, Barbara Swisloski and Cynthia Aldi of Utica, New York; nephews, Harry Geith of Dalhart, Texas, James Garton of Yucaipa, CA and Rodney Garton of Arrowhead Springs, CA; with many great and great-great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long-time companion, Dollie M. Johnson of Corona. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Heckert; his parents, William F. and Jennie B. Heckert; and his sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Gerard Holdridge. Services will be held on Friday, January 4, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at Thomas Miller Mortuary with interment at Riverside National Cemetery at 1:45 p.m., Staging Area #8. Arrangements are being handled by: 1118 E. 6th St., Corona, CA. 92879 - (951) 737-3244

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Published by The Press-Enterprise on Jan. 3, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for William Heckert

6 Entries

Robbin Heckert-Bryant

January 23, 2008

Dad,

There are still so many things I still want to be able to say to you, questions to ask and answers I still want to hear, and though I know I can still talk to you, it will never be the same.

For the last few days so many things have been running through my head, memories. I remember running down the hallway at the old police department when it was still on Main Street, I couldn't wait to get to your desk and see my Daddy. I remember every Sunday when you would take me to the Corona Airport and you would let me "drive" on your lap, then we would spend hours watching the planes and you would get me a grape soda. I remember coming home from Kindergarten and you told me you and Mom had a surprise for me in the back yard, and it was Tippy. I remember you teaching me to roller skate, ride a bike, a skateboard, jump rope, shoot a gun, play golf, I remember it all. I can remember calling you at work all hysterical because Tippy got hit by a car and Mom was taking a nap and you didn't miss a beat, you jumped into a unit and you took Tippy to the vet Code 3.

Remember when we would watch Buster Keaton, the Marx Brothers, Abbott & Costello, the Three Stooges and I Love Lucy - even though Mom would get mad. And remember when I used to make you wave good-bye to Lassie every Sunday night?

You have always been there for me from the beginning, literally. If it had not been for you I would not be who I am, and I am who I am because of you

When Mom died, we had to get to know each other all over again, because our relationship had always revolved around her. I can remember driving up from Anaheim and then Irvine, and spending Sundays with you, and you would make me watch golf on TV, and I always fell asleep. Remember my first attempts to make pies and Thanksgiving dinner? Those poor counselors at Albert Sitton Home are probably still not over being my guinea pigs on the pies, but I did learn and you and Tom would eat pie and watch sports together.

I knew you were lonely and remember when you and Dollie got together. I saw a whole new light in your eyes and a real smile on your face, for the first time in six years. Through Dollie you finally got grandchildren, Kristen and Susan were so young then, and Susan was afraid of the fireworks. Remember the morning when David was born? The look on your face in the pictures of you holding that baby are the same as the looks you had on your face when you held me when I was little. Until the day I die I will never forget the message you left on my answering machine that night.

You didn't stand in my way when George and I met and fell in love; in fact you made it easy on me when I finally got up the guts to tell you that I was moving to Humboldt County. I was a mess, crying, and you took hold of my hand and said "Kid, you are doing the exact same thing that I did when I met your mother. Follow your heart; I will always be here for you." When George and I were together you finally got grandsons from me and boy did you steal their hearts. When you and Dollie came to visit us in Humboldt County that was the first time in weeks that both Shawn and Dylan were home for dinner, each night you were there, because they were spending time with their Grandpa.

I can still see the look in your eyes that Christmas morning when George proposed to me, a little bit of a smile, a tear in your eye and then the biggest Cheshire cat smile I have ever seen (though I do think it was because I was totally speechless - a first).

Our wedding, and how you couldn't be there because you were in the rehab hospital and they wouldn't release you, so we went to "Plan B" and we got married at 10 am at the hospital and then went back to the house for the wedding at 11 am. I will never forget the look on your face when I walked down the hall towards you in my wedding dress and we both started to cry and you said "I have never seen you look so beautiful."

There were so very many wonderful times we had together, just being with you, holding your hand and watching some cop TV show.
I thank God every day that you asked me to come live with George and me. Every extra moment I got to spend with you was so very precious for the two of us. All I wanted for you was to be with us, know and feel how much we loved you, that you were safe and know that everything was going to be ok. George and I loved being with you, taking care of you, laughing with you, cooking for you, shopping for you and bringing you presents. It snowballed and became the five of us with Shawn and Dylan coming over all of the time, and then our friends fell in love with you too. Dad, I loved being able to kiss you goodnight every night, and goodbye every morning before I left for work even though you were still sleeping, and then kissing you hello when I got home from work.

You were my great big strong policeman Dad, my hero, you were my very own Superman, and always will be. Quite frankly Dad, you are the finest man I have ever known. I will miss you forever, you will always be in my heart, so you will always be with me. I have no regrets, I know you loved me and I know you knew how much I love you, I always will.

Throw that tetherball for Tippy for me Dad. I love you,

Robbin - "Chicken"

January 18, 2008

George Bryant

January 10, 2008

Pop:

Robbin and I were with you when you passed, and I hope that we comforted you enough to make your transition as easy as possible. The last six months with you will remain in my heart and soul forever. From waking you in the morning with breakfast to saying goodnight, every night, was the most rewarding thing I've ever done. I plan to donate my time to Enloe Hospice later this year in your honor. I will never forget our times together and the love we shared for each other and for Robbin. We will meet again, and I hope that in the meantime, I will make you proud. Your daughter, Robbin, will always be taken care of to the best of my ability--after all--we had one thing in common--our everlasting love for her! I love you, Pop--always will.

George Bryant

Geri Getz

January 4, 2008

deepest sympathy

Cynthia Aldi

January 3, 2008

Your memories are now treasures.

Kathryn Schwartz

January 3, 2008

So sad that he's gone on, but we'll see him again.

Love
kathryn

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