Bill Wendel Jonker

Bill Wendel Jonker ETCS (SS) US Navy Submarine Service went on Eternal Patrol on Sunday, December 21, 2014 with his wife Marion and his 2 precious dogs at his side. He fought a valiant 13 month fight against Lung Cancer. Bon in Los Angeles 3-16-1935 he joined the Navy in 1952 and retired in 1974 as a Senior Chief Electronics Technician. Living on the east coast after retirement then returning to California in 1998.

He leaves his wife, Marion Jonker of Hemet, one daughter Deborah Kasevich of Florida, three sons, Stephen Jonker of Hemet, William and Ronald Jonker of Florida. Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. One sister, Sharon Weiller of California, 2 brothers, Kevin Jonker of California and Dudley Banks of Illinois. He was preceded in death by his son Dennis Jonker.

Bill was always fixing stuff, in 1993 he built an airplane which he brought to Hemet in 1998 and he flew out of Hemet Ryan Airport for many years. He could often be seen flying his remote control planes in Hemet and was well known at the hobby shops and automotive parts companies in the area.

He was Chief of the Nuclear Division (Gold Crew) that built the nuclear powered Polaris ballistic missile submarine, the USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN 624) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in 1962-64, and was a member of the Woodrow Wilson Reunion Association, Life member of the Trieste Base of the United States Submarine Veterans in Murrieta, the Fleet Reserve, the Holland Club, and had been a member of the Hemet Valley Cruisers for many years winning awards for his classic cars especially his Cream Colored Cord.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice of the Valley in Murrieta, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675-8517 were his wish both of these were dear to his heart.