5600 Carroll Canyon Rd
San Diego, California
William Arthur aka Bill Grenard: December 15, 1938 – September 22, 2017
SAN DIEGO
Born William Arthur Grenard in Highland, Illinois, on December 15, 1938, Bill died at Sharp Memorial Hospital on September 22nd, 2017 of the many complications of congestive heart failure. He was 78.
The only child of William Forest and Dollie Lorine Grenard, Bill learned to play the piano at five-years-old. He would take the city bus into St. Louis alone and walk to his piano teacher’s house for lessons. His talent led him to being his church’s regular organist at the age of 10.
Bill learned to read from Women’s Magazines his mom would bring home. Bill loved cars – he had an encyclopedic knowledge of makes and models of cars and could recreate realistic, detailed, artistic sketches of his favorites from memory.
We have gleaned that he was very popular in high school. Bill said that he did homework only once in high school at East Saint Louis High and won a full scholarship to Cornell University, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering.
While home the summer before he graduated, Bill met his future wife, Patsy Jo-ann nee Gruber at a church youth group meeting. They married on January 30, 1962. Within six months, Bill graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and the couple moved to St. Louis, where Bill began his career at the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation working on the Gemini II Space Capsule, an example of which is hanging in the entrance of Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Bill helped design the instrument and control panel.
Bill and Pat moved to Orlando, Florida in 1966. Bill continued to work as an aerospace engineer for the Martin Company. He transitioned from space exploration to missile defense, moving to Teledyne Brown in Huntsville, Alabama in 1971, then starting a new office for them in Irvine, California in 1977.
In 1981, Bill moved his family to San Diego and transferred to Teledyne Ryan. In San Diego, he focused on systems analysis, working for Ryan, Sparta, and ending his career as a Vice President at Metron, Inc.
Bill was an avid music collector and pianist, a prolific reader, an artist, author and photographer. He was married for 40 years – Pat preceded him in death. His three daughters Kelly, Christina, and Ivy Grenard, his son-in-law Deven Hansen, and his grandchildren Jack Seilsopour, Kate Hansen, and Hudson Bialon-Grenard survive him.
Services will be held on Friday, October 20th, 2017 at 1pm at El Camino Memorial Park in Sorrento Valley, CA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley and El Camino Memorial Park and Mortuaries (Sorrento Valley).
6 Entries
October 19, 2017
David Donner
Please accept my condolences on Bill's death. I was his room-mate for three years at Cornell starting in the freshman dorm. All I can say is that Bill was a genius and an artist and one supremely humorous guy. I still remember that in the summer before we arrived at the university the dorm office instructed us to contact our new room-mates, including a picture. I followed the usual way and sent Bill my senior yearbook picture. Bill sent me a picture of Alfred E. Neuman ---from Mad Magazine!
His movies and his crime novel, "The Clinic", showed his artistic side and the ability to put in the work to produce something of value.
We corresponded over the last 10 years and he never gave any indication of his illness--always cheerful and interested in what was going on. I shall miss his phone calls filled with observations on life.
Again, my sympathy to the family.
October 19, 2017
Michelle Brook
Ivy, Chrissy, and Kelly, you were a comfort to your dad over the years. You were there when he needed you, just as he was there for you. I am so sorry for your loss.
October 16, 2017
Bob Peterson
Sorry to hear of Bill's death. We were best friends during our boyhood through Jefferson Elementary School in East St Louis, IL. Needing to go is one thing. Being gone is another. I trust you will be comforted by the many sweet memories he leaves for you. Bob Peterson, Austin, Texas
October 16, 2017
Carolyn Jackson
My condolences to each of you. I am so glad I was fortunate enough to be able to visit a couple of years ago with my high school friend and to meet each of you, his legacy. I will miss the phone conversations with your Dad where he loved reminiscing about his earlier life and always enjoyed hearing about all of his family.
October 16, 2017
My dear cousins, each time I start to write I also start to cry. It's difficult to
see family leave. No matter if contact was often or sparse, memories run
deep as well as that bond that only blood provides.
Not only did my Mom and I live with Dolly, Bill and Billy for my first two years
but for the remainder of our time in Saint Louis they were the family that we
visited most. We often got to go out to eat when visiting there. A rare treat for
me. I think the Grenard's and White Castle hamburgers are forever tangled in
my memories. After we moved to California, stories of Aunt Dollie and Billy
were frequent in our household.
Kelly, I first met you in August of 1964. Were you about 3 months old?
Chrissy, what a fun surprise that you knew my friend Eric Moaney when
he accompanied me to Kelly's engagement party.
I have vivid memories of the sad, sad services for your Mom when she left
us all, way, way too early. All three of you girls were absolutely beautiful in
your honoring of her.
Your Dad, a tremendously talented and intelligent man has left an amazing
legacy in you three.
Much Love,
Judy
September 28, 2017
Kelly, Chrissy, Ivy: My deepest sympathies to you all on this tremendous loss. Your dad and mom will always be looking over their girls and keeping you all safe. In loving support, Rosemary
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
Funeral services provided by:
El Camino Memorial – Sorrento Valley and El Camino Memorial Park5600 Carroll Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92121
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