William Robert Lindstrom

William Robert Lindstrom passed peacefully on December 18, 2020, 78 days shy of his 98th birthday in Fullerton, California. He was the husband of Margaret Louise, who died August 4, 2019—born in Springfield, Illinois, March 6, 1923, in a house just down the block from Abraham Lincoln's family home. He never owned a bicycle. From an early age, Bill was an entrepreneur. He and his brother Jerry earned money selling paper cups for water, for one cent each at the Chicago World's Fair. A lover of people, Bill brought joy and laughter everywhere. He always had a smile on his face.

Like most of his classmates, Bill quit high school to join the Navy. A member of the greatest generation, he was proud to serve his country as a photographer during World War II. His work on the Intrepid made him most proud. He eventually earned his high school diploma while serving his country.

His career with Wesson Oil, Hunt Foods, and Purex moved the family from Michigan, to Missouri, then Illinois, Louisiana and finally to Southern California. Once he retired, he consulted for The Marketing Associates as Partner and Managing Director. He assisted companies transitioning to your neighborhood grocery store shelves. He shared his corporate experience in business classes at Cal State University, Fullerton. He and Margaret traveled extensively to England, Ireland (twice), Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Japan, and China, once their children were older.

He loved playing golf, working, feeding the birds while relaxing in the back yard, crossword puzzles, traveling, following his favorite sports teams and telling jokes and stories. He loved to read. He would listen to one game on the television, another on the radio while he was reading the paper or the most recent James Grisham or Ian Fleming novel. He loved Perry Mason. He loved In ’n’ Out Burger where he and Margaret would frequent: burger, fries and a chocolate shake was his favorite.

He had a magnetic personality that made everyone feel at ease. He had a gift that he shared lavishly. Everywhere he went, became a happier place. The saddest day of his life was the day his daughter, Joanne, died.

He will be fondly remembered by his two children, William Joseph Lindstrom and Charlene Alfaro; 8 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.