William "W.D." Dean Decker

William Dean Decker, born Friday, April 4, 1935 to William and Dorothy Decker of Waltham, Minnesota is the man, the myth, the legend, known to all more commonly as Bill, Billy or simply Decker. Harsh seasons, the laborious work of farm life, straddling the intricacies of business within his father’s equipment company and finding his place in a world reeling from the Great Depression of ’29 and entering precariously into WWII, Bill’s early years were demanding, shaping and sculpting him into the monumental, almost supernatural force he was to become.

Leaving behind adolescence, Bill joined the United States Navy nearing the end of the Korean War, stationed in the Philippines, Hawaii and his last duty station, Central California. As well as being a decorated enlisted man, Bill achieved the Golden Gloves title for his boxing skills fighting for the US Navy during his service.

The civilian life and career that followed his term in the US Navy was no less colorful. Bill had learned the value of hard work young, learned how to evaluate individuals from posture and presence, and learned how to see not the path provided, most trodden, but the path that must be pioneered ahead. Bill’s career in the construction industry was nothing short of incredible, leading men, companies and an entire industry into the fray of innovation and creation, capturing the very essence of the American Dream along the way.

Those who knew him best, would agree that his proudest accomplishments were his family. As the father of two sons, Michael and Denny; grandfather to Andrea, Windi, Stephen and Ryan; and great grandfather to Aleyah, Norah, Lyna, and Addison, Bill would be the first to celebrate their successes and pass along words of encouragement to “pump up their tires”.

Sunday, December 18, 2022, at 11:20am PST, Bill’s physical vessel took rest, giving way to his ethereal soul upon eternity. After 87 years of living earthbound life beyond what most call its fullest, he is survived by his family Michael and Elieen Decker, his granddaughters Windi Hazzard and Andrea Hadjouti, and great granddaughters Aleyah, Norah and Lyna; Denny and Cheryl Galloway, their two sons, Stephen and Ryan, and granddaughter Addie. Although no longer with us in body, Bill lives on in celestial eternity, and through the memories of those that love, honor and respect him; he watches and smiles when we smile and feels our loss when we are pained. Bill was and is more than a man; he is the myth, the legend…William Dean Decker!