William “Bill” James Kane Jr.

1937 - 2014

William J. Kane Jr. was born May 28, 1937, to parents, William J. Kane and Dorothy Dyson in Philadelphia, PA. He passed away on May 9, 2014, at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA, surrounded by his wife and large family.
Bill Kane was a very proud Marine, having entered the service in 1954 at the age of 17, he served a total of 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Bill survived several tours in Vietnam, as well as being stationed throughout Asia. He received a number of combat and related medals for his service, finally retiring in 1984 as a Captain. Vietnam was a difficult subject for Bill to speak about, however he had fond memories of serving in the Marines, especially in winning the regional volleyball championship title in the mid-1970's.
Bill and his wife, Regina A. Kane, made their home in Poway, CA, in 1969 and lovingly raised their seven children in the home they continued to share at his passing. Bill was a gruff and tough old Marine who, as a strict disciplinarian, wasn't long on speaking of his emotions but always let his wife and family know they were loved and always came first in his life.
After retiring for a second time from various management positions in 1994, Bill created Grandpa's Workshop where his love of woodworking showed through. Bill and Regina were active in the crafting/woodworking shows up until late 2013, when his health began to decline, but he had grand plans to continue his business until the end. He shared his love of woodworking with many of his kids, grandkids, neighborhood children and anyone he spoke with. Bill and Regina shared the joys of fishing and camping, especially enjoying the time they spent at Convict Lake in Northern California and camping with his kids and grandkids at Camp Pendleton. As a founding member of St. Gabriel's Church in Poway, CA, he was proud of his faith-filled life and in taking his large brood to church every Sunday.
Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 55+ years, Regina. He is also survived by his seven children, Will (Sherrie) Kane, Mike (Penny) Kane, Dyan (Chris) Lorenzen, Kathy (Kraig) LeRoy, Christina (Gary) Vineyard, Cyndee Kane and Erin (Michael) Potter; sixteen (16) grandchildren; four (4) great-grandchildren; and his sister, Dorothy "Dottie" Wells of Pennsylvania.
As Dad always said, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine!" So, we as his surviving family, will lovingly remember him by a saying he came across weeks before his death with a t-shirt he bought for Mom that read, "Guarding the Gates of Heaven. Marines don't die, they get promoted."
Services for William J. Kane Jr. will be held on Friday, May 23, 2014, at 10:00am at St. Gabriel's Church, 13734 Twin Peaks Road, Poway, CA 92064. We welcome all extended family and friends to share in honoring our husband, father, and friend.