William E. Ose

William Edward Ose, born in Oakland, California, on June 1, 1946, passed away at the age of 76 on April 14, 2023, surrounded by family in his home in Benicia, California. Bill, also known as “Big Poppy Bill” (Grandpa), was born to Bjarne Thomas Ose and Eleanor Virginia Ness. Raised in Walnut Creek, Bill lived through the heyday of the baby boomer era and enjoyed the music, food, and way of life of that extraordinary time. He loved growing up during a period that could have been considered simpler and less crowded but also moderately more treacherous thanks to the “Leave It to Beaver” hijinks and adventures he shared with his brother and sisters, including building gas-powered models with Richard and exploring the creeks and open land with Joanne and Christine. When his mother, waving from the front yard with the sirens blaring, said, “Hey, Bill! Come and see the fire department!” Bill replied, “I can’t! I’m in the backyard!” He was hiding there, contemplating whether anyone had seen him pull the alarm and wondering what doom loomed ahead. During the Vietnam period, Bill was drafted and served his country in the United States Army. On Okinawa, where he was known as “Uma San” (Mr. Horse) in Japanese, he was in charge of the medical supplies filtering into Vietnam, saving many lives over the years. Bill would leave with an honorable discharge and return to California to continue his work in the electrical trade. At Dawson Electric, he progressed from shop boy to electrician before becoming Vice President. There, he dedicated decades to helping build many of the Bay Area projects we see today. When he retired after working for over 50 years, he was acknowledged by IBEW for his many years of service. Bill was very proud of his Norwegian heritage, which was visibly reflected in his size. As he moved throughout the Bay Area, he enjoyed incorporating elements of his family’s historic pilgrimage from Norway through North Dakota and California. The friendships he made over the years at Dawson became not only part of his chosen family but also part of the rich voyage he undertook while raising his family in Green Valley, California. As Vikings do, Bill “migrated” to greener hills during his life’s journey, landing with the love of his life, Loretta Ose, in Benicia, California. Together, they shared adventures fit for a Viking-sized existence sprinkled through with Bill’s particular brand of ever-maturing Norwegian humor. He enjoyed the bounty of their adventures—the “apple pie” of his life—with his loving wife, children, and grandchildren at his side. Never to be forgotten, Bill lives on in the gorgeous backyard he cultivated until his passing which he overlooked to the end. Bill is survived by his wife Loretta Ose, brother Richard (Leslie) Ose, and sister Christine (Pete) Montalvo. He is also survived by children Erik Ose, Sarah (Brandon) Ose, Jessica Roundtree, Heidi (Bryan) Christensen, and Gretchen Crowell; grandchildren Derek and Morgan Roundtree and Brooke, Abby, and Lyla Russell; and by nephews and nieces Neil Ose, Jon Ferrier, Jennifer Garling, and William Montalvo. A private memorial service is being held at the historic Passalacqua Funeral Chapel in Benicia. His body will be interred at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery before the green hills of Solano County, accompanied by a military honor guard, a gun salute, and the occasional air traffic of the Travis Air Force Base flying overhead.

William E. Ose

June 1, 1946 - April 14, 2023