Obituary William “Bill” Frescas Pettit, Jr. 12-4-15

William “Bill” Frescas Pettit, Jr. 

On November 26, 2015 William “Bill” Pettit was called to heaven by our Lord. Our wonderful, gregarious father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother has now joined his beloved wife Cora who preceded him to heaven.

Bill was born on September 28, 1931 in Los Angeles, CA. to William Palomera Pettit, Sr. and Celia Frescas Pettit.  He was the oldest of the brothers in a family of 10 siblings plus extended family members.  He attended school up until the eighth grade in Ventura, then began working with his father in agriculture and did odd jobs to help support the family.  

 Bill served in the army during the Korean conflict and was stationed in Okinawa, where he was promoted to the rank of corporal.  After being honorably discharged, he went to work at the Port Hueneme Naval base as a taxi, truck and long-haul driver.  It was here that he met the love of his life, Socorro “Cora” Sandoval.  On September 1, 1957 Bill and Cora were married and remained married for almost 40 years until Cora’s passing in 1996.  

As a husband and father, he volunteered as a catechism teacher, baseball coach, and usher  at church.  Bill loved fishing and watching sports on T.V. or in person.  He also enjoyed eating out and visiting with his sister Irene, brother John or his children and grandchildren.  

For over four decades, members of the Pettit, Sotelo and Frescas family gathered every summer for a family barbeque and potluck at a nearby park.  We celebrated his father’s birthday (William Palomera Pettit Sr. passed in 2007), swapped stories, caught up on gossip and played sports.  Typically, Bill and his son Patrick arrived early to reserve the meeting area.  Bill was the one who greeted everyone as they arrived at the reunion.  He would welcome friends and new comers to the family, always making sure everyone felt comfortable.  He was usually the last one to leave, saying goodbye to the family that he loved.