December 27, 1930 - May 2, 2024
William Earl Van Tassel Jr., age 93 of Linden, CA, passed away on May 2, 2024. William (Bill) was born in Woodland, CA on December 27th, 1930. He was preceded in death by his parents Atha and William Van Tassel Sr. and sister Virginia Hammond.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years Marilyn, daughters, Nancy (Rick) Lopez, Carol (George) Alves and sons, William (Vicki) Van Tassel, Robert Van Tassel and Jim (Kim) Van Tassel. Eight Grandchildren - Nathan & Brett Lopez, Dustin Alves, Lindsay (Alves) Gogna, Jillian (Van Tassel) Carnes, Luke Van Tassel, Ellie Van Tassel, & Ezra Van Tassel. As well as Thirteen Great-grandchildren.
Bill attended College in Susanville where he studied to be a gunsmith. After college, he joined the US Navy and flew fighter planes off the USS Oriskany with the Fighter Squadron 122 during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1967 from the Navy Reserve with Four Air Medals: China Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal, and National Defense Medal. After serving active duty in the Navy, Bill became a commercial airline pilot for United Airlines and flew from 1955 to 1988.
In 1972, Bill decided to pursue his lifelong dream of being a cattleman and moved his family to a ranch in Linden, CA, where he continued to fly and grow his cow-calf operation. In 1991, he received the CBCIA Commercial Producer of the year award from the California Cattlemen’s Association.
A special thank you to Hospice of San Joaquin for their incredible service and support.
VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 10:00am on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.
SERVICE
A service will be held at 10:00am on Monday, May 20th, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240. Reception immediately following.
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Van Tassel family.