William Paul Hargreaves Jr.

William Paul Hargreaves, Jr, 81, of Escondido, California, left us on February 25, 2025 after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and finally passed comfortably in the care of hospice and his wife, Sharon. 

Bill lived a life full of variety and zest for living and he was always searching for more.

Bill was born in 1943 to William Hargreaves, Sr and Beryl Hargreaves in Rhode Island. He was brought up Catholic and was an altar boy when he was young.  His family moved to California when he was in junior high school.  He graduated from La Habra High School (Go Highlanders!) where he was Set Person in the high school theater, played on the tennis team, and also did some wrestling, all while also working up to the level of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.  He then got his AA degree from Fullerton College.

He enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 19 in 1962 to serve his country and to pursue a trade in the field of electrical engineering.  He served as Communications Engineer on board the USS Holder DD-819, a communications and supply ship, during his four-year term in the Vietnam War.  Bill recounted how he sometimes had to climb to the top of the towering mast during rough seas to rectify communication problems.  He especially often reminisced how much he learned and appreciated all that he got to experience of the many places and cultures the ship stopped in the ports of the Asian and European countries while on his shore leaves.

While working toward his degree in electrical engineering from UCLA, Bill started his first engineering job at Librascope in Glendale, kickstarting a 30-year career in the defense weaponry field.  During this same busy time he was starting a family and commuting from his home in Chino, where they kept a veritable wildlife preserve on an acre of land with not only horses and goats, but all kinds of wild fowl including peacocks, swans, wood ducks, and Canadian geese.

Bill and Deborah married in 1967 and had two children, Bryan and Jennifer.  After their divorce, he married again in 1983 to Sharon, and lived in Rancho Cucamonga with her and her two daughters, Layla (then Lavonne) and Penni, and Bryan and Jennifer. After moving to Escondido, he was married to Chris for eleven years and had a continuing closeness with her daughter, Sarah, even after that divorce.  Finally, he and Sharon remarried in 2016, with their daughters, their husbands, and five grandchildren lovingly in attendance, along with Sarah, her husband, and their two children.

He retired from General Dynamics/BAE Systems in 2006, where he had worked from Field and Test Engineer up to the position of Program Manager in his nearly 30 years with them.  While working for GD/BAE, Bill also helped found and run the Arts & Entertainment Club during his later years with the company, scheduling and conducting tours to the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach and The Lion King at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, as well as other events.

Bill took on jobs subsequent to retirement.  He volunteered as an usher, then worked as Head Usher at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.  Afterward, he first volunteered for and then was employed at the San Diego Dance Theater doing their accounting, sets, lighting, photography/videos, fundraising, and support at its annual Trolley Dances:  “I do everything there but dance”, is how he put it.   His last paid position was at Royalty Shares, where he was a test engineer of the ASCAP royalties payment software/database.

He also volunteered as a Guest Ambassador at the then San Diego Wild Animal Park in Escondido, and did so again during his last years when it was renamed the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.  He enjoyed his role of sharing this passion with guests and particularly loved interacting with children, and he attributed becoming a more outgoing person due to his work there. 

Throughout life, Bill loved animals of all kinds. From his mini ranch in Chino and beloved pets through the years, all of the Safari Park residents including his favorites, the elephants, any random creatures he happened to cross paths with, and especially at home as the "Better Petter" to each of his cats, he was the quintessential animal lover. 

Bill liked to travel, enjoying nature, art, people, and history.  He was proud of living in Escondido, California.  Kit Carson Park with its duck pond, walking trails, and Queen Califia’s Magical Circle was among his favorite places to "wander".  He enjoyed family visits and occasional trips to Southern California amusement parks, Disney, LEGO, Sea World, the atmosphere of the North County Fair mall, the nearby San Diego beaches, and, of course, the proximity of the Safari Park.

He also loved Christmas.  He avidly decorated the tree and set up elaborate Victorian Christmas villages that incorporated creeks, hills, and even a running train.  His Christmas yards were a Winter Wonderlands.  Bill enjoyed hosting Christmas parties for friends, family, and colleagues.  And he loved having all our kids and grandkids for our annual holiday gathering.
 

He was a ‘Do it All’ handyman able to repair and assemble most anything.  He completed a number of home improvements from landscaping, decor, electrical work, to construction; he even built a deck for his spa from scratch, with help from his dad.  And, he gardened both flowers and veggies.

Bill cared about the country and the working class.  He was a supporter of public broadcasting and unbiased news reporting.  He endorsed political candidates – can you guess which ones: 2004 “A Stronger America Begins at Home”, 2008 “Yes, We Can”, and 2016 “Not Me, Us”?  Together, he and Sharon, participated in many Get Out The Vote campaigns and rallies, and often worked the election polls.

Bill's interests and hobbies were many.  Most recently, he and Sharon danced with The Westwood Wranglers Square Dance Club for a few years (and, of course, Bill volunteered as vice president, treasurer, and also did members’ photographs, composed, and published the club directory).  During this time he was also taking a turn as president of our homeowner’s association.  He did absolutely stunning scenic photography, glassblowing (producing splendid pieces), and pottery with character.  He enjoyed manning a sailboat, as well.  Fun fact: Bill did a tandem skydive for his 75th birthday. 

Whether simply listening to music to dancing, to whistling, humming a tune, or tapping out a beat, to incorporating a lyrical reference into conversation or a dance step into everyday activities, Bill was a music aficionado.  Attending jazz, dance, and theater performances were among his favorite things to do.  By the way, he absolutely loved the song “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie – please play it and think of him.

Bill was predeceased by his father, mother, brother Bruce, and very sadly, his son Bryan.  He is survived by his sister Leslie, a brother Ron, his nephew Aaron, his best friend Gordon, and his daughters Jennifer, Layla, and Penni, and five grandchildren – Autumn, Avery, Cooper, Abner, and Elias, as well as his ever-loving wife, Sharon.

Bill’s greatest attributes were his sense of humor and how deeply he cared for those he loved.

A Celebration of Life is planned for early October, Bill’s birthday month. When arrangements are finalized, Bill’s family will provide the details via email. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Alzheimer’s San Diego in honor of their support for those going through this agonizing struggle … as Bill did for at least his last four years of life.


Https://www.alzsd.org/get-involved/donate/

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