John William Kinnunen

John William (Bill) was born on November 10, 1926, in San Joaquin, to parents Charles and Jenny Kinnunen. Bill was the youngest of 3 children, brother Ed and sister Helen. Bill lost his mother when he was 7 years old and raised by his father. One of his fondest memories was that of his teacher, Mrs. Keifer, who knew he lost his mother and took him under her wing, showing him extra nurturing. He repeated the first grade due to a language problem---he spoke only Finnish at home.

He attended San Joaquin Elementary and Tranquility High School. He was, as told by teammates, captain of the football team and a quick runningback. When asked about this, in later years, it was notoriety he shunned. Bill participated in FFA and had several pig projects.

World War II came along and Bill didn't have a chance to participate in his high school graduation ceremony because he was drafted in May 1945. His dad had to get his diploma. Bill entered the Navy and went to boot camp, then to radio school at Millington Naval Base in Memphis, Tennessee. Bill, when telling of the humidity, said as far as he was concerned, they could give the place back to the Indians. Upon finishing his training, he was assigned to the USS Pine Island, a seaplane tender. During his 18 months in the service, he saw parts of the world he may not have had the opportunity to otherwise see—Egypt, China, and the devastation of post-war Japan.

After the war, he returned to San Joaquin to begin farming the family farm. While away in the service, his father had health issues and had sold the equipment and rented the farm out, so when Bill returned, he had to start from scratch.

It was not all work and no play though. Bill and some of his friends would go to Ross's Ball Room, a dance hall in north Fresno. There he met Ann Kirsch. They were married on January 14, 1951 and were married for 61 years until her death in 2012.

Bill felt as though he was one of the family rather than a son-in-law. He enjoyed spending time with Ann's family on a Sunday or the holidays and visiting with Ann's uncles, Matt and John, and Ann's brothers, Clarence and Raymond. Over the years, his visits with Uncle Ray would never end without solving the world's problems, just ask his grandkids, if they happened to be at grammie's during Uncle Ray's visit.

Although not a big metropolis, Bill enjoyed seeing his life-long friends in San Joaquin most every day. He used to say you could be having the worst day of your life, but take a few minutes to go to Rusconi's Tire Shop and see Ed Cardoza, Ed Snyder, Vernon Anderson, and Art Pifferini and you'd walk away laughing and have a smile on your face.

Bill was not one to get involved in politics, but served as a board member of James Irrigation District from 1980 to 2005.

Bill enjoyed beautiful music. Anything Andrew Reihu, especially the specials on channel 18 or most anything that had an accordion in it. He enjoyed German music and attended "October Fest" in San Juan Bautista with Ann for many years.

His greatest joy was to witness the accomplishments of his grandkids and be able to see his 7 great grandkids, something Ann was not able to do.

Bill is survived by his son Gerald and his wife Laurie; his grandson Matt and his wife Tamara, and their daughters: Rebecca, Susanna, Sarah, and Megan; his granddaughter Tami Biesenthal and her husband Jeff, and their sons Jak and Jake; his granddaughter Kristina Souza and her husband Dan, and their daughter Emily. He is also survived by nieces, great nieces, and great nephews.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate care over the last view years by Dr. Lea Press, Dr. Stephen Su, and Dr. Gulesserian.