William Lawrence "Bill" Mahler

Oct. 1, 1925 - Sept. 25, 2006

William "Bill" Lawrence Mahler, passed away after a long, courageous battle with dementia and Parkinson's Disease at the age of 80. He was born in Eureka, and was raised in Fortuna. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a corporal with the Corps of Engineers, as a combat engineer. Serving during World War II, he received such medals as the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Army of Occupation and the WWII Victory Medal. After the Army he went to work for Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Fortuna, then transferred to Richmond where he retired with 42 years of service.

He was a member of the Eel River Masonic Lodge No. 147 and Order of the Eastern Star in Fortuna, along with the Mission Bell Chapter No. 203 in Richmond. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign War and a longtime volunteer for Kaiser Hospitals. He will be remembered for his love, his passion for trains, and his dog "Precious."

He was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Joan Mahler.

He is survived by his children, Larry (Patsey) Mahler of Evergreen, Colo., Debbi Lyn Thornton of Bay Point, Michael Brandt of El Sobrante, Robert (Della) Steen of Antioch, Wendy Ann Mahler of Vacaville, Brian (Nancy) Mahler of Brentwood and Rushell (Les) Baker of Alleghany; grandchildren, Shannon Mahler, Karis Sandlin, Gordon, Gary and Gregory Brandt, Patt Ann Mahler and Michael Carnes, Nick Anderson, Eric and Kevin Steen, Leslie and Robert Baker, Jeremy and Joshua Mahler, Corey and Ashley Sandlin; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Logan Brandt; and his cousin, Don Luther.

Friends and family are invited to attend a funeral at 11 today at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main St., Vacaville.

Interment will be private.