William Earl Faith

WILLIAM EARL Bill FAITH April 9, 1920 - January 4, 2011 Bill Faith was born April 9, 1920 in Sargent, Nebraska, the oldest of the three children of William Earl Faith and Lela Marie Lundy. He is survived by his brother, Lyle Harry Faith (Charlotte Sachs); his sister, Elaine Faith Hague (Frank) died in 2008. Early on the family moved to the nearby town of Scotia, where Bill’s father operated a bakery. After graduating from Scotia High School he accompanied his family to Southern California, fully intending to hitchhike back home and enroll at the University of Nebraska as soon as the family was settled. Instead, he was persuaded by his uncle to remain in Los Angeles and attend Occidental College. He paid his college expenses by working full time each summer and at part time jobs during the school year. While at Oxy Bill met Ruth Knudson, and they were married on August 23, 1942. Ruth passed away October 11, 2000. Upon graduation Bill taught physical education at Gage Junior High School. While working full time he attended night classes at Loyola University School of Law, earning a JD degree in four years. After practicing law for a short time in Pasadena, Bill relocated his practice to Monrovia where, as a name partner in the firm of Patten, Faith & Sandford, he completed more than fifty-five years in the active practice of law. Bill is survived by three children, five grand children and ten great grand children. Eldest son Eric and his wife, Martha (Neprasch), live in Monrovia. Their son Jeremy, his wife Niva (Telerant) and their sons, Benjamin, Jacob and Zachary reside in Encino. Their son, Colin, lives with his wife Jennifer (Spears) and their son, Caden, in Tolland, Connecticut. Bill and Ruth’s son, John Randall (Randy) and his wife, Carol (Arndt), live in West Covina. Their son, Jonathan, lives in Sherwood, Oregon with his children Sahalee McFarland and Tarn Faith. Their son, Nathaniel, his wife, Lisa (Yoneda), and their children, Darrion and Alanna reside in San Diego. Their daughter, Amanda, lives in Chino Hills with her children, Tristan and Dakoda. Bill and Ruth’s daughter, Shelley, lives in Grand Junction, Colorado. Bill was an active and beloved member in his community, serving on the boards (and often as the chair) of many local organizations. These included United Way, Lions Club, Jaycees, YMCA, Foothill Bar Association and the Monrovia Rotary Club. He was for many years an active Elder in the Monrovia Presbyterian Church where he sang a beautiful tenor in the choir. Bill and Ruth loved to travel, and it is difficult to recall very many places they have not visited. When their children were younger, several weeks each summer were spent hauling a small travel trailer to virtually every state in the country. Later, in the company of friends, they traveled extensively throughout the world. In between trips they hosted several foreign exchange students — two of whom still correspond with “dad.” In later years Bill organized trips that included as many children and grand children as were available. In groups of ten to fourteen the family traveled to Alaska, Russia, Scandinavia, Greece, South America, China and through the Panama Canal. These were always times of reunion and adventure. Bill died January 4, 2011 in Arcadia at the age of ninety. A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 2:30 on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at Monrovia First Presbyterian Church (corner of Myrtle and Foothill). In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the City of Hope or Occidental College. Care entrusted to Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home in Monrovia (626-358-3244).