William George Farish
December 27, 1928 — August 19, 2022
William George Farish
December 27, 1928 — August 19, 2022
William George Farish died at the age of 93 in Long Beach, CA on August 19, 2022. He was born on December 27, 1928 in Spring Canyon, Utah to Gladys Jewkes and William Edward Farish. His dad was a coal miner and he had a wonderful mother that created a spiritual household. Bill has only one surviving brother, Merlin Farish and three deceased sisters, Mary Chino, Helen Carr & Colleen Cardall.
He grew up in Spring Canyon, a coal mining camp. He bought a Model A Ford when he 15 years old. Bill played football in high school and Jr College. He was always into mischief, as he loved to have fun. His younger brother, Merlin would tell his friends that his brother Bill was going to beat them up if they messed with him.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1945 at 17 years old. He went to boot camp at the Navy Training Station in San Diego, CA. He was stationed on the USS Pasadena and was a lead Seaman, in charge of 20 sailors. He traveled to Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, China and the South Pacific.
When Bill left the Navy in 1948, he returned to Utah and went to work for the Spring Canyon Coal Company as a machine operator. He worked a mile deep in the coalmine for five dollars a day. He worked there for about six months and then went to Ogden, Utah and worked for Chino's Café as a waiter. That is when he decided it was time to move to California.
When Bill was in the Navy, he loved his visits to the Pike in Long Beach. He had friends in California and eventually moved to Compton CA. The romance of Betty and Bill started when he became her Sunday school teacher in the Compton 1st ward. She was 15 years-old and they started going on group outings to firesides, dances, parties, and other church activities (she became Bill's favorite student).
They married in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1951. A few months later, Bill's brother Merlin came to live with them in a trailer in Compton, CA. Mom worked for Pacific Telephone Company in Compton and quit when she was 8 months pregnant. They later moved into a 2-bedroom apartment in Compton for two years.
In 1953, mom became pregnant with Mark, and they moved into their first house on Lees Ave in Long Beach. They purchased this house, three bedroom and two baths for $12,000 (mortgage $100 per month) and lived there for 13 years. Seven years later, along came Lynette Caroline in 1959, followed by Kandee Charise in 1961. In 1966, they moved to El Dorado Park Estates in Long Beach and paid $43,000 for their house.
Dad went to Compton College using his Military benefits. When he was at Compton College, he was the President of the Deseret Institute Class. He injured himself playing football for Compton College, which ended his football career.
Bill loved cars and loved to ride motorcycles. When Mark turned 16, Bill bought them matching motorcycles and rode in the riverbeds, trails and family camp was a favorite adventure up to Huntington Lake.
Dad loved to sing and was a member of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera, Barbershop Quartet Groups, Church Choirs and was a soloist for many occasions. He even took some ballet lessons because he was a dancer for the Miss America pageant held in Long Beach. Bill has a beautiful tenor voice. Betty and Bill became leaders of Sound of Youth and Grand Land Singers, touring the country. Recently dad performed/sang in his own production show at 93 years old, A Tribute to Bill Farish.
Dad was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many leadership roles: Bishopric, High Councilor, Scout Master and Music Leader.
Bill & Betty started buying real estate properties in the 60's-70's and became successful business owners. Bill and Lee Wurtz owned a small engine flight school called C&J Air at the Long Beach Airport. He was also a Manager at Purex Co in South Gate for 27 years, followed by Deseret industries for 14 years.
Bill believed that a family that plays together stays together. Betty & Bill paid for many family cruises over the years to ensure all could attend. They traveled to every continent through cruises and vacations leading to exotic and extraordinary places.
Bill lost his son, Mark in 2013 due to throat cancer. This brought great sorrow for Bill as Mark was his best friend. They would go to all sporting events together and attended the NCAA final four basketball tournaments for many years.
Betty and Bill celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in March 2021. Bills greatest accomplishment and blessing was his family: husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He has 3 children, 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren.
Bill's friendly mannerisms brought joy to anyone that spoke to him or squeezed his hand. He taught his children and grandchildren a strong work ethic and was generous with his time and money. Betty passed away six months ago. She was his eternal companion and he has missed the love of his life. It was a glorious reunion to see his Betty again.
He lived a Christ Centered Life, and he was always clear on his love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He had a kind heart and was always watching out for the underdog. His sense of humor and support made him an extraordinary father and grandfather. Bill loved his family and spending time together on vacations was very important to him. He demonstrated his love to his family and friends through his unconditional support and actions. Until we meet again.
Children
Mark William Farish (Claudia)
Lynette Caroline Tholkes (Bill)
Kandee Charise Anderson (Marc)
Grandchildren
Billy Hadley (Wendy)
Justin Starkey (Kathy)
Kimberly Stanford (Butch)
Michael Hadley (Jamie)
Brooke Will
Andrea Walker (Damian)
Mandee Farish
Chris Anderson (Mya)
Samee Farish
Lizzy Anderson
Great Grandchildren
Tyler Hadley
Keagan Hadley
Allison Hadley
Ryan Hadley
Amber Hadley
Ashlyn Hadley
Cameron Hadley
Austin Starkey
Josie Starkey
Jeric Starkey
Kole Starkey
Aurelia Walker
Brodie Walker
James Gerritsen
Devin Gerritsen
Sean Gerritsen
Aly Will
Alex Will
Lilly Stanford
Kannon Keating
Kenedee Keating
Memorial Service
September 13, 2022 - Saturday
10:00 am Viewing
11:00 am Service
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4142 Cerritos Ave
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Forest Lawn, Cypress
4471 Lincoln Blvd
Cypress, CA 90630
1pm – Gravesite Dedication
He grew up in Spring Canyon, a coal mining camp. He bought a Model A Ford when he 15 years old. Bill played football in high school and Jr College. He was always into mischief, as he loved to have fun. His younger brother, Merlin would tell his friends that his brother Bill was going to beat them up if they messed with him.
He enlisted in the Navy in 1945 at 17 years old. He went to boot camp at the Navy Training Station in San Diego, CA. He was stationed on the USS Pasadena and was a lead Seaman, in charge of 20 sailors. He traveled to Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, China and the South Pacific.
When Bill left the Navy in 1948, he returned to Utah and went to work for the Spring Canyon Coal Company as a machine operator. He worked a mile deep in the coalmine for five dollars a day. He worked there for about six months and then went to Ogden, Utah and worked for Chino's Café as a waiter. That is when he decided it was time to move to California.
When Bill was in the Navy, he loved his visits to the Pike in Long Beach. He had friends in California and eventually moved to Compton CA. The romance of Betty and Bill started when he became her Sunday school teacher in the Compton 1st ward. She was 15 years-old and they started going on group outings to firesides, dances, parties, and other church activities (she became Bill's favorite student).
They married in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1951. A few months later, Bill's brother Merlin came to live with them in a trailer in Compton, CA. Mom worked for Pacific Telephone Company in Compton and quit when she was 8 months pregnant. They later moved into a 2-bedroom apartment in Compton for two years.
In 1953, mom became pregnant with Mark, and they moved into their first house on Lees Ave in Long Beach. They purchased this house, three bedroom and two baths for $12,000 (mortgage $100 per month) and lived there for 13 years. Seven years later, along came Lynette Caroline in 1959, followed by Kandee Charise in 1961. In 1966, they moved to El Dorado Park Estates in Long Beach and paid $43,000 for their house.
Dad went to Compton College using his Military benefits. When he was at Compton College, he was the President of the Deseret Institute Class. He injured himself playing football for Compton College, which ended his football career.
Bill loved cars and loved to ride motorcycles. When Mark turned 16, Bill bought them matching motorcycles and rode in the riverbeds, trails and family camp was a favorite adventure up to Huntington Lake.
Dad loved to sing and was a member of the Long Beach Civic Light Opera, Barbershop Quartet Groups, Church Choirs and was a soloist for many occasions. He even took some ballet lessons because he was a dancer for the Miss America pageant held in Long Beach. Bill has a beautiful tenor voice. Betty and Bill became leaders of Sound of Youth and Grand Land Singers, touring the country. Recently dad performed/sang in his own production show at 93 years old, A Tribute to Bill Farish.
Dad was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many leadership roles: Bishopric, High Councilor, Scout Master and Music Leader.
Bill & Betty started buying real estate properties in the 60's-70's and became successful business owners. Bill and Lee Wurtz owned a small engine flight school called C&J Air at the Long Beach Airport. He was also a Manager at Purex Co in South Gate for 27 years, followed by Deseret industries for 14 years.
Bill believed that a family that plays together stays together. Betty & Bill paid for many family cruises over the years to ensure all could attend. They traveled to every continent through cruises and vacations leading to exotic and extraordinary places.
Bill lost his son, Mark in 2013 due to throat cancer. This brought great sorrow for Bill as Mark was his best friend. They would go to all sporting events together and attended the NCAA final four basketball tournaments for many years.
Betty and Bill celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary in March 2021. Bills greatest accomplishment and blessing was his family: husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He has 3 children, 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren.
Bill's friendly mannerisms brought joy to anyone that spoke to him or squeezed his hand. He taught his children and grandchildren a strong work ethic and was generous with his time and money. Betty passed away six months ago. She was his eternal companion and he has missed the love of his life. It was a glorious reunion to see his Betty again.
He lived a Christ Centered Life, and he was always clear on his love of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He had a kind heart and was always watching out for the underdog. His sense of humor and support made him an extraordinary father and grandfather. Bill loved his family and spending time together on vacations was very important to him. He demonstrated his love to his family and friends through his unconditional support and actions. Until we meet again.
Children
Mark William Farish (Claudia)
Lynette Caroline Tholkes (Bill)
Kandee Charise Anderson (Marc)
Grandchildren
Billy Hadley (Wendy)
Justin Starkey (Kathy)
Kimberly Stanford (Butch)
Michael Hadley (Jamie)
Brooke Will
Andrea Walker (Damian)
Mandee Farish
Chris Anderson (Mya)
Samee Farish
Lizzy Anderson
Great Grandchildren
Tyler Hadley
Keagan Hadley
Allison Hadley
Ryan Hadley
Amber Hadley
Ashlyn Hadley
Cameron Hadley
Austin Starkey
Josie Starkey
Jeric Starkey
Kole Starkey
Aurelia Walker
Brodie Walker
James Gerritsen
Devin Gerritsen
Sean Gerritsen
Aly Will
Alex Will
Lilly Stanford
Kannon Keating
Kenedee Keating
Memorial Service
September 13, 2022 - Saturday
10:00 am Viewing
11:00 am Service
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
4142 Cerritos Ave
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Forest Lawn, Cypress
4471 Lincoln Blvd
Cypress, CA 90630
1pm – Gravesite Dedication
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