William C. Catlin
1936 - 2020
William (Bill) Charles Catlin February 10, 1936 - November 18, 2020
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Charles Catlin, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at the age of 84. Bill was born on February 10, 1936 in Burbank, California to William and Muriel (Fisher) Catlin.
Bill graduated from Burbank High School in 1955, and entered the United States Army in June of 1956. While on an extended furlough, Bill married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Suzanne Klein. Months later, Bill's army unit was deployed for active duty leaving Fort Ord, Monterey, California to Bamberg, Germany, by way of the USNS General Nelson N. Walker Troop Ship. This voyage made history as the largest troop movement through the Panama Canal following the Korean War as part of Operation Gyroscope. Bill was honorably discharged in 1958, returning home to begin raising a family and establishing Garden Grove as their new home. He also began a new career in the concrete industry. For 38 years, he worked for Dewey and Bob's Mixed Concrete in Long Beach, CA and later Geller's Ready Mixed Concrete in Westminster, CA, before retiring in 1995.
Before and after retirement, Bill dedicated his life to raising three sons and enhancing the community through volunteer efforts for many different service clubs within and near the city of Garden Grove. Some of Bill's volunteer efforts over those 62 years include: Volunteer worker at the Garden Grove YMCA's Christmas Tree Lot, Volunteer Coach with the Garden Grove Southwest Little League, Band Booster Vice President - Bolsa Grande High School, Elder with the First Christian Church of Garden Grove, Chairman of the Board for the Garden Grove Elks Lodge - 2006, Volunteer Usher at the Garden Grove Gem Community Theatre, Volunteer for the Acacia Adult Day Care Center, and Volunteer of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Board of Directors for 22 years including President in 2014.
One notable contribution was that Bill was a gifted artist. He spent several years voluntarily painting over 20 original backdrops for the Elks Annual Inaugural Ball and other special fundraising events. Bill received many notable accolades for his service and contribution to the community. In 2007, he was named Garden Grove Man of the Year, and in 2014, with wife Sue, the Cypress Community College Americana Award, Citizen of the Year. Other honors include the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce Silver Spoon Award, Elk of the Month, Elk Ender of the Year (Motorhome Club Award), Garden Grove Home Pride Award Hall of Fame, and was crowned the 2019 Senior King of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival.
Bill was a dedicated and loving husband of 64 years, wonderful father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather. He loved life and the people around him. His favorite things to do were spending time with his wife Suzy, traveling with friends and attending family gatherings. He took up the hobby of surfing at the age of 40 and joked that he would sit backwards on his board to scare other surfers away.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, William Emerson Catlin, and his mother, Muriel Fisher Heald. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, his three boys, Michael (Tina), Timothy (Martha), and Patrick (Patti), his brother Charles William Catlin, seven grandchildren, Amy, Crystal (Cheno), Amanda, Bill, Nicholas, Raya, Kyan, great grandchild Elijah, and Cousins, Carol Alexander, Carla Ann Leach, and niece, Peggy McElgunn.
Due to COVID 19, funeral services will not take place at this time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Bill Catlin's name to Acacia Adult Day Services, 11391 Acacia Pkwy, Garden Grove, CA 92840
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Published in Orange County Register on Nov. 25, 2020.
