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William Markham Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William Markham
Scott Hillstone
August 15, 2024
First I would like to express my sympathies and condolences to Sherry and the family.
Billy (everybody in the flooring industry knew Bill as Billy) was the most honest and honorable man I ever had the good fortune to have met as an employer, coworker and as a friend.
I first met Billy in 1979 when he was managing a union labor shop in the Mira Mar area 'Classic Carpets'. I was a year out of returning home from the Army and was working for one of the journeyman at that shop and Billy helped me to get in the union apprentice program. His help set my flooring career path for the next twenty-five years.
That shop closed and our paths wouldn't cross again four years later in 1983. I was looking for a job change and Billy was contracting on his own and needed someone who could keep up with his pace of work, when we were on the job it was expected that 114% effort be expended until the job was completed. I guess he like that I could keep up! He employed me for the next four years.
It was at this time, while I was working with Billy, that he was taking flying lessons with brother Brian. I became interested and Billy suggested that I should take a lesson. I did! an eventually archived my private pilot license in 1997.
Billy was very generous and went out of his way to help family and friends. So when I approached him in 1989 about helping me get my own contractor license by filling out the paper work needed, he didn't hesitate to help!
Over the years as our paths diverged, but I would run into Billy at flooring supply shops and we would catch up on what we each were doing, but I am sad to say I hadn't keep in touch.
I will be forever grateful for all that Billy had done me and the friendship he showed me. Rest well my friend.
Scott Hillstone
Anne Ervin
July 17, 2024
Today is my brother's birthday...28 days ago he said goodbye to his earthly self and transcended to a place above us. I feel him and know he is ever watchful over his precious family. He is proud of you all.
Anne Ervin
July 16, 2024
Celebration of Bill's Life:
Saturday August 17, 2024: 10am - Noon (morning-style refreshments)
Pine Valley Community Clubhouse
28890 Old Hwy 80
Pine Valley, CA 91962
Brian Markham
July 8, 2024
Over two weeks ago we lost our beloved brother, father, role model, friend. How does one describe the impact of one man on so many lives? Do you site the numerous acts of kindness and generosity? Does one talk about his gruffness, political views or work ethic? All I know is that my experiences with my big brother were personal, and life changing. As a young teen he would show up early weekend mornings to take me to work with him (sometimes Jim Guy, Sr. too!). Those formative times expanded my understanding of work, toil, sometimes cussing and off color jokes. Many times my big brother would treat me to a Padre or Chargers game. I´ll never forget watching the Chargers beat the Chiefs in a playoff game. The fact that we had terrible seats and that it was raining didn´t dampen our spirits! For me, I was with my big brother, and that was enough. As the years passed, our roles sometimes reversed. Like the time when I was in college flight instructing. Bill became one of my students. I had become his teacher, and though I did not "finish" him up, he did go on to get his private pilot license. It made me proud to know I had helped him achieve something he had always wanted. Years later when I returned from Air Force duty, we started an annual camping trip to the eastern Sierra Nevada. One thing I´m not is a great fisherman. Bill was great. We were joined by various family members. The camp fires we achieved were at times impressively large and hot, much like the political discourse that ensued. It wasn´t a river runs through it, more like a gentle stream with an occasional pool, but Bills always managed to best all of us. First fish, most fish, biggest fish. His habit of disappearing to find his own special spot I believe was the reason for his success. Probably the best experience we had together was flying our tail wheel airplane, 4181Y, from Green Bay, WI, to Southern California. Bill had never experienced aviation like that. He was amazed at the reception we received at our various stops. Free lunches, free rental cars, it was like being a fat cat. I´m glad he was able to experience a little bit of my world as a professional pilot. Incidentally, his first request upon arriving in Green Bay was not to check out the airplane we were buying. It was to drive by Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. Ever the football fan! In closing, we all had our different experiences with Bill. I could go on much longer. Suffice it to say that I will only ever have, (in our late Mother´s word´s), only positive thoughts. Because though I share the sadness and grief of so many, I will treasure the positive memories of my big brother. And maybe, God willing, we will find ourselves together around the campfire again, arguing about the best technique for catching trout, or whether the stream was stocked recently. For me, that would be enough.
Anne Ervin
July 6, 2024
Jeramy
July 6, 2024
Too many words and thoughts and memories come flooding in whenever I allow myself to ruminate on my Uncle's sudden passing. It's been so tragic and difficult for everyone in our family. I cannot imagine the great pain my cousins and my Aunt Sherry have been in and how difficult it's been for my mom, Uncle Bill's surviving sister, to accept how her own immediate family has changed and how it's just her and my Uncle Brian. This great big hole in everyone's heart is proof of the big presence my Uncle Bill had in everyone's life. He always held this big space, right behind my grandmother. I'm grateful for the multitude of memories and when I'm ready I will share more of those memories because I want it known how much family meant to Uncle Bill. I love you! Thank you for always showing up for me and my mom!
Gage Skinner
June 28, 2024
Condolences for a good man gone under, a great friend of Pine Valley throughout the years!
Anne Ervin
June 28, 2024
This will appear in print - in this Sundays edition of the San Diego Union Tribune.
Elisa and Stan Caswell
June 27, 2024
As a Pine Valley Neighbor for the last 33 years I have had many good years of sharing a greeting with Bill over the back fence, enjoying his dry sense of humor and smile. Bill leaves a big empty spot in Pine Valley, he did so much for his community. Hugs to his grieving family. He is very missed.
Anne Ervin
June 26, 2024
Anne Ervin
June 26, 2024
Tracy Markham
June 26, 2024
Many fond memories of taking the kids to Uncle Billy´s... his big laugh, wit and dry sense of humor...I know he will be greatly missed!
Anne Ervin
June 26, 2024
More memories:
Bill also coached soccer and High School football at Mt. Empire. He loved those kids! Plus, he never wanted to miss his kids, and then his grandkids soccer games...no matter the weather!
Growing up when we were kids, Bill and I would close the den curtains and watch Mona Lisa scary movies on Saturday afternoons. As an adult, I still watch Svengoolie every Saturday night. As then, as now, as always.
Anne Ervin
June 26, 2024
Thank you Mary, Liz, and Rob: Eddie and I appreciate your kind words. Love to the Ervin's.
Mary Mack
June 25, 2024
God will hold your hearts and hands as you grieve Bills great loss. It´s hard to loose our beloved parents then follows our siblings also breaking our fragile hearts.
Mary [Ervin] Mack
Ed Ervin
June 25, 2024
Brother (in-law) Bill told stories of his memories fishing with his grandpa at the canals, reservoirs, lakes, and beach.
Although I'll never hear one again in his voice, I can tell stories of my memories of Bill chilln, line in water, and Not so chilln when they got away.
To one of the most generous men ever, Lov ya man.
Ed Ervin
Anne
June 25, 2024
Anne
June 25, 2024
Anne
June 25, 2024
Anne Ervin
June 25, 2024
Anne Ervin
June 25, 2024
Anne Ervin
June 25, 2024
Anne Ervin
June 25, 2024
my words for my brother;
Traditional, Independent Carpet Contractor, Pine Valley Township Men's Club President, Fisherman, Father, Mentor, Friend, Square Dance Caller, Rescue-er, Uncle, Honorable, Wise, Papa, Generous, Jokester, Brother.
...and probably a million more...
Naomi Anne Ervin
June 25, 2024
Hi Brother;
I miss you so much - it's like the family is trying to survive a major earthquake - we are devastated. I feel your presence though...you are watching us.
Camping in will never be the same. You will always be the 'fish whisperer'.
sis
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