Lile "Bill" Dean Randolph, age 84, passed away Monday, July 22, 2024, in Visalia, CA. Bill was born in Fresno, CA on, July 6, 1940. He attended local schools Kindergarten and graduated from Fresno High in 1958 where Bill participated in a number of sports. During high school, Bill earned his Eagle Scout ranking. Bill enjoyed riding motorcycles with his friends. Lile, was tagged with his Uncle Bill's name, because he shadowed, him wherever he went.
Bill joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and severed an additional 3 months at the Pentagon, in VA, after returning to the States. Before joining the Air Force, Bill and his brother, Richard, raised & showed Medina pigeons, locally, statewide and other states. Bill enjoyed bowling and started working at Blackstone Bowl, where he met his future wife, Sharon E. Serna. Sharon soon decided, she and Bill should start showing pigeons as a couple. Bill worked for UPS as a driver in 1967, there were only 16-18 drivers, serving the Fresno area and beyond. Bill joined the management team in 1974 and was selected to be part of the “UPS National Training Team”. He semi-retired from UPS in 1979 and worked for Fresno Unified School District. Bill and Sharon opened Fresno Model Railroad, on May 5, 1990 in the old ice house, downtown Fresno, by the train station and in 2004, closed their doors for retirement. Bill and Sharon loved the adventure of traveling, by plane, car or later in their 5th wheel coast to coast, visiting many states. A highlight in travel was traveling to Railroad Conventions throughout the USA. Early in Bill and Sharon’s marriage, they both discovered their love of Cruise Ships. Bill arranged for many family outings from camping/travels to adventurous cruises. Bill and Sharon also dabbled in ceramics, which once again, included travel to craft shows.
Bill is survived by his loving and caring wife of 57 years, Sharon E. Randolph; his loving sister Betty La Mere; his sister-in-law Jacqueline Randolph. He is also survived by generations of nieces and nephews, who have many stories of their own to tell about their Uncle Bill.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Milton L. and Mary B. Randolph; his brother Richard E. Randolph and his sister Clara M. Carlson.
Pastor Paul Belt will be officiate at the graveside service for Bill, to be held Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 9:00 AM at Belmont Memorial Park, 201 North Teilman Avenue, Fresno, CA 93706.
A Celebration of Life & Remembrance will be held, Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 1:00 PM, at Westlake Park, 2706 West Ashlan Avenue, Fresno, CA 93705, in the Clubhouse.
The family would like to thank Hospice Compassionate Care, for their professional services. A special thank you to nurse Virginia, for her compassionate care during this difficult time.
Remembrance may be made in the name of Lile “Bill” Dean Randolph to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 3585 North Blythe Avenue, Fresno, CA 93722.
