William Dessert  1919 -

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• Birth	26 Sep 1919	Los Angeles, California
  Sex	Male
  Died	William (Billy Joe) Joseph Dessert September 26, 1919 – November 17, 2006 Bill, age 87, died from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease in Temecula, California on November 17, 2006. He was born on September 26, 1919 in the City of Los Angeles to Leo and Clare Dessert of El Segundo, California. He is survived by his sister Ruth Freitas of Walnut Creek, California and his brother, Donald Dessert (Fran) of Longwood, Florida. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Eugene, Kenneth, Gerald, and Rolland, and daughters-in-law, Donna and Laura Dessert, and son-in-law, Mark Hardisty and two grandchildren, Joshua Dessert and Lalayna Dessert Espitia, and great granddaughter, Emily Jane Brennan. Bill met and married his beloved wife of 65 years, Catherine, in October of ’41. He is survived by her and their 14 children, William Jr., Michael (Sarah), Judith McQueen (Mark), John, Cathy Dessert, Joan Stimpfig (John), Paul (Shere), Louise Inder (Graham), James, Tom (Gail), Jane Hardisty, Molly Dessert, Jerry (Melissa), Ruth Herrin (Bryan). He is survived by 44 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. He is also survived by hundreds of nieces, nephews, and many, many loving relatives and friends. As a young boy, Billy Joe was an entrepreneur. In the late ‘20s he sold fruit and veggies on the corner of Hawthorne and Torrance Boulevards. Rumor has it he also sold popcorn on Jefferson Boulevard. At one time, he was El Segundo’s youngest paperboy and delivered papers all the way from El Segundo to El Porto (now the north end of Manhattan Beach). He worked hard to help his mother and father support their big family. He would bring home his catch of the day so his mom could serve it up for dinner that night. His life was centered around home, church and school. He had a zest for life and a very positive attitude. Early in life, he developed a love of aviation which led to the piloting of a Taylor Cub and dare-devil behavior which lead to skydiving, barnstorming, weekend air shows and stunt work for Hollywood. He pushed the limits so far that he once entangled himself in the middle of a power relay station while parachuting and narrowly escaped death – landing him on the cover of the local newspaper. His spirit of adventure extended to overseas travels which culminated in the foiling of the Italian bombing of oil fields on Bahrain Island in the Persian Gulf at the outbreak of World War II. Bill returned home already a hero, only to sign on with the U.S. Navy after marrying Catherine. Following the war, Bill used his experiences from the oil industry and the Navy to prepare himself for the workforce. He started a parachute packing business in Scottsdale, Arizona. His talent as a craftsman helped him to develop his trade as an upholsterer - leading him to open the Inglewood Auto Upholstery shop. In 1950 Bill took on additional work at AiResearch Aviation to help support his growing family. For the next 35 years he worked days at the upholstery shop and nights at AiResearch Aviation. During this time he and Catherine raised 14 children to love and serve God as devout members of the St. Catherine’s parish in Torrance. Even though Bill worked every day, he always found time to enjoy life. He found joy in simple pleasures like a barbecue, a football game or a fishing trip to the Sierras. He would quite often invite the neighborhood kids in for a steak dinner, even though he already had too many mouths to feed. He enjoyed what seemed to be endless summers of fishing and hiking in the High Sierras (Mammoth). He could see God’s glory in the mountains and in a rainbow trout. This delight in life’s simple pleasures and the beauty of the great outdoors is one of many things that he passed on to his children, and his children's children. He retired to Fallbrook, California to raise avocados and reached out to the community of migrant workers in the area. Along with a fair day’s pay, Bill made sure they always had a good meal, a hot shower and sometimes a place to stay. At St. Peter’s parish in Fallbrook, Bill volunteered many hours to help build a home for retired priests in Mexico. True retirement came 16 years later when he and Catherine relocated to Banning then to the South Bay area and eventually settled back in Temecula. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and a friend to all he met! Services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe at 320 Massey Avenue in Hermosa Beach, California. Viewing will start at 3 p.m. with the Rosary at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, November 21. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. this Wednesday, November 22. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of the Valleys, 28127 Bradley Road, Sun City, CA 92586 Early on, Billy Joe was an entrepreneur. In the late 1920’s he sold fruit and veggies on the corner of Hawthorne and Torrance Boulevards. As a young boy he worked hard to help support his big family. He would bring home his catch of the day so his mom Claire could serve it up for dinner that night. His life was centered around home, church and school. He had a zest for life with such a positive attitude. He was a daredevil who escaped death by guiding him and his parachute safely through a power relay station. His experiences overseas as a young adult prepared him for the workforce, which would help him cope with the task of raising and providing for a wife and 14 children. As a young married man he started a parachute packing business in Scottsdale, Arizona. His talent as a craftsman helped him to develop his trade as an upholsterer. My earliest recollections of my dad were when my mom would take us to the upholstery shop in Inglewood where Dad was working very hard to support all of us. He taught us all that working hard would pay off in the long run. Even though Dad worked every day he found time to enjoy life; the simple pleasures like a barbecue, a football game or a fishing trip to the Sierras. He would quite often invite the neighborhood kids in for a steak dinner even though he already had too many mouths to feed. His first trip to Mammoth Lakes was 1946. He loved ice fishing at Lake Mary on opening day. His children, their children and several friends have made it a yearly tradition. In 1961 our first hiking trip to Duck Lake was a labor of love for him; with his hands he made us each a backpack. He bought his first condo at Krystal Villa West in 1968. His love of the Sierras rubbed off on me so much I chose to live here for over 30 years. He taught me love and respect for nature. He could see God’s glory in the mountains and in a rainbow trout. When Jef and I moved to the mountains he convinced me that being a single mom was a positive thing. He taught me that I could do anything a man could do and probably do it better! He and my mom taught me everything I know about property management. He set me up with my first tool kit and away I went. I cherished the time he and Jef went fishing together; he was an extraordinary male role figure and mentor to my son. To sum it all up, I have to say my dad was a family man who loved, protected and cared for us deeply. His generosity was undying. His positive attitude, his common sense, his undying patience and his ability to see the good side of people and all God’s creatures outweighed any negativity in this world. He is survived by his beloved wife Catherine of Temecula, California, a brother Don of Longwood, Florida, a sister Ruth of Walnut Creek, California, 14 children : William Jr., Mike (Sarah), Judy McQueen (Mark), John, Cathy, Joan Stimpfig (John), Paul (Shere), Louise Inder (Graham), Jim, Tom (Gail), Jane, Molly, Jerry (Melissa) and Ruthie Herrin (Bryan). He is also survived by 46 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren. Call me crazy but I am pretty sure my Dad stopped in Mammoth Lakes and at Duck Lake on his way to heaven. On the night he passed at 2:50 A.M. I woke up and felt his presence and his love. At that time I knew he was going and said goodbye. I could not go back to sleep but then I finally did and was dreaming about his wake. In this dream I was telling my sister Joan "we are going to need allot of tables and chairs for the old folks" and just then I woke up to the phone ringing at 4:15 A.M. It was Molly with the bad and sad news that my Dad had passed at about 3:15 A.M. My brother Paul who lives here said he could not sleep and felt Dad here too. Mammoth Lakes was Dad's favorite place. He and my Mom bought our first condo here in 1968 with the money we all received from Mr. Hamilton's estate. Mr. Hamilton was our neighbor who cared for us as we did for him. He used to stop by and have coffee with my mom. I used to stop by his place and cook and clean for him. I had my very own garden in his yard with flowers and a tangerine tree. It's funny how these memories come flooding back when someone dies. Anyway, life goes on and my Dad will forever live on in my memories. Love, LOUISE You asked me for a memories so here is one: My Grandpa Dessert which is what we called him was always smiling. That great big smile with his chest puffed out and his harry soft arms. One of my first memories of Grandpa Dessert was sitting on his lap in the TV room in the Lawndale house. He was the first man I ever married, he slipped his cigar ring on my finger and made me his forever with hugs and kisses. It is well known that Grandma Dessert usually favors the boys but Grandpa Bill always commanded her attention by saying look who's here Cats, Judi Marie. I miss him already! Take Care and many Blessings Judi Marie Davis - Deacon
  Person ID	I0555	Dessert Family Tree
  Last Modified	16 Apr 2006
  Father	Leo William Dessert, b. 14 Jan 1888, Moberly, Missouri
  Mother	Claire Margaret Smith, b. 31 Aug 1892
  Family ID	F0286	Group Sheet
  Family	Catherine Pilon
  Married	1942
  Children	> 1. William Joseph Dessert, b. 10 Oct 1942 > 2. Michael Denise Dessert, b. 30 Oct 1943 > 3. Judith Anne Dessert, b. 31 Dec 1944 > 4. John Patrick Dessert, b. 16 Mar 1946 > 5. Catherine Elizabeth Dessert, b. 23 Mar 1947 > 6. Joan Dessert, b. 30 May 1948 > 7. Paul Russell Dessert, b. 23 Dec 1949 > 8. Louise Marie Dessert, b. 21 May 1951   9. James Leo Dessert, b. 30 Jul 1952 > 10. Thomas Anthony Dessert, b. 6 Nov 1953 > 11. Jane Francis Dessert, b. 22 Sep 1955   12. Marian Denice Dessert, b. 11 Feb 1957   13. Gerald Mark Dessert, b. 13 Jan 1962 > 14. Ruth Irene Dessert, b. 10 Aug 1963
  Family ID	F0297	Group Sheet

• Photos		Bill Dessert loves fish
  		Parachute Jump Graduation
  		Parachute School 1943 Camp Gillespie, San Diego, Ca