July 11, 1931 – Sept. 22, 2013

A memorial service for long-time Tujunga resident William Edward “Bill” Petteplace Sr. will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 808 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada at 3:30 p.m. He passed away on Sept. 22.

Bill was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on July 11, 1931 to James Chester and Frances Margaret Petteplace. He graduated from Queen’s University School of Banking and was employed by the Royal Bank of Canada for 10 years, transferring from the Toronto area to Kelowna in British Columbia where he met and married Betty Andersen in October 1957.  In February 1960, Bill and Betty with their babies Joanne and Bill Jr. moved to Tujunga and Bill got a job in the Corporate Trust Dept. of the Bank of America. Before the year was over, he left B. of A. and became affiliated with the Capitol Group/American Funds. He spent 30 years with Capitol in Mutual Fund Sales and administration before he retired in 1990.

Five more children were born to them between the years of 1961 and 1972: Tammy, Lori Ann, Jimmy, Tracey and Chris. Sadly and tragically, a fire in their home on Owens Street in Tujunga in August 1986 claimed the lives of his wife Betty and their grandson Sean.

Bill was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Tujunga until its closing. He then affiliated with St. George’s Episcopal Church in La Cañada. He served in many capacities in both parishes, including as a member of the vestry and church treasurer. He was administrator of the Anna Jeffrey Memorial Trust Fund at the Church of the Ascension for 20 years.

An active member of the Sunland-Tujunga Lions Club from the time he joined in November 1973, he lived the Lions motto, “We Serve” for 40 years. He was named Lion of the Year twice and held every office in the club, including three different terms as president. He received many awards and commendations for his community service. In 1992 he became a Melvin Jones Fellow.

Bill was active in Lions District 4-L1, serving in all offices. He was elected district governor in 1999. He loved dogs and was an active supporter of Guide Dogs for the Blind and Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents James and Frances; his loving wife of 28 years Betty, just one month shy of their 29th wedding anniversary; his grandson Sean in 1986 and infant daughter Lori Ann in 1963.

He will be remembered lovingly by his six children and their spouses, 12 grandchildren and one great-grand child: Joanne Petteplace and Cindy Ann of Lancaster; William “Billy” Petteplace Jr. of Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada; daughter Frankie Lee and her daughter Joselyn of Sacramento; Tammy and Tom Pelter of Calistoga, Calif. and their children Bryce, Tara and Jonah; James “Jimmy” and Patty Petteplace of Tujunga and their daughters Danielle and Stephanie; Tracey and Daniel Leon of Valencia and children Tristan, Emma and Dillon; Christopher and Tennille Petteplace of Tujunga, daughter Jessika and son David. He is also survived by his brother Allan Petteplace and his wife Gail; his sister Frances Waller and husband George; many nieces and nephews in Canada and California and also his sister- in-law Penny Burks of Salt Lake City, Utah.  He is also especially remembered by the many members of the Lions clubs with whom he worked and his close friend and companion Cookie Dapp. Not to be left out is his dog Pepper who adored him and was always at his feet.

There will be a private interment for the family at a later date.

Thank you to all who shared a part of this wonderful giving man’s life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Bill’s memory be sent to Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence, P. O. Box 3896, Santa Rosa, CA 95402. Information about this Lions organization can be found at www.lpcci.com.