William H. "Bill" Earp, Sr.

May 24, 1930 - February 23, 2016

William H. "Bill" Earp, Sr., 85, resident of Benicia, passed away on February 23, 2016 in the Martinez VA following a long illness. He was born on May 24th, 1930 in Kent, Ohio to parents Thomas F. Earp and Mary Jane Adams. His family moved to the Bay Area in 1946 and to Benicia in 1947. Bill went to sea as a Merchant Seaman until being drafted in the US Army during the Korean War. Following his service he worked at the Yuba Mfg. Co., the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, and the Benicia Arsenal until he took a position as a Staff Administrator for US Army Reserve centers in the Bay Area until his retirement in 1983. He then worked for Cal-Bay at the Benicia docks for a number of years. William retired as a Sargent Major with the US Army following 33 yrs. of service. He also earned a BA in Law from Lasalle Extension University in Chicago. He leaves his loving wife of 62 years, Marie Precour, and is survived by his four children: Colleen Stagg, William Earp, Jr., Brian Earp and Lisa Falcon, and four grandchildren: Ryan, Erin, Amy and Nathan and loving family members Bo, Mark, JoAnn and Jeff. He leaves two brothers: Jim of Reno and Paul (Shirley) of Texas, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family members and friends. Bill enjoyed history, traveling, playing pinochle, and building and restoring his Army Jeep made from scrap parts. He was a long time member of St. Dominic’s Parish in Benicia where he served on the Finance Committee for a number of years, and was a member of the 11am choir for over 40 years. He was also a life member of VFW Post #3928, Benicia and Vinyes Council #16 Young Men’s Institute. William was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers Thomas, Gerard, Michael and Peter. Vigil services will be held 7:00 p.m. Sunday at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday at St. Dominic’s Church followed by a burial with Military Honors at St. Dominic’s Cemetery, East Fifth and Hillcrest Ave, Benicia. Visitation will be at the mortuary after 4:00 p.m. Sunday. Donations may be made to St. Dominic’s Church, or your favorite charity.