William A. Neal

August 19, 1926 – May 29, 2021

Passed away in Fresno, CA at the age of 94.

Bill was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. He attended Bakersfield HS, Bakersfield College, Fresno State, UC Santa Barbara (chemistry and math), awarded a grant to UC San Diego and obtained his Master’s degree at Stanford University in 1959. During this time Bill met and married his beautiful sweetheart from Bakersfield, Shirley. Shirley was outgoing and chosen Queen of the Military Ball by the student body and cadets at the official activation of the Twentieth Regiment, CA Cadet Corps. As they began their young family, they eventually settled in Fresno. Bill’s passion for learning, and intelligent and creative mind lead him to the education field, which was a perfect fit for him and the 1000’s of students he taught over the course of a 63+ year career. Bill taught at Stanford University, Bullard, Edison and LeGrand High Schools, and the bulk of his career at Fresno City College. While teaching, Bill raised three very athletic boys, being an athlete himself. He was responsible for generating enthusiasm for soccer in Fresno and coached a very talented Baird and Tenaya Bears team. It was only fitting in 1968 that Bill started the men’s and women’s soccer programs at FCC and grew them into acclaimed, successful and decorated junior collegiate programs, and at one time was the 3rd most winningest JC coach in the nation. In 2000, Coach Neal was the inaugural inductee into the State of California’s Junior College Soccer Athletic Hall of Fame. Bill retired from teaching and continued coaching for a few years; however, after enjoying full retirement, was called back to FCC where he returned to teach Math until the age of 92.

Bill invented the Numerical Base Conversion Device, affectionately known to the grandkids as the “math machine” that was patented in 1962. He developed a novel method of fraction addition and subtraction. Professors at Stanford encouraged Bill to trademark his method, but Bill was just happy to share his discovery with his students.

Bill was a proud WWII Navy Veteran stationed at Pearl Harbor, he served many years as Lt Col in the California State Military Reserve, was charter member of the UC Santa Barbara Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity (Zeta Eta 44) and in 1952 granted the charter for the Iota-Gamma chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha at Fresno State, 53 years a Mason holding many ranks including Past Master, Past Master Scottish Rite, member of the Shriners, HI-12 Club, and Novkeps. Bill was also a private pilot, he loved fishing and never turned down an opportunity to eat chocolate.

Bill was one of the most caring and generous individuals you could ever meet, a ‘give the shirt off your back’ person to his family, church, organizations and anyone in need. His life was guided by God and Jesus Christ and he never promoted himself or boasted about his never ending accomplishments. His family was his pride and joy and he very much embraced the motto his mother, Lula Neal taught him of, ‘Keep on keepin’ on’.

Bill is reunited with his loving wife Shirley Jean and his 2 sons, Craig Albert and William Jeffery (Jeff) Neal.

Bill is survived by his faithful friend and care giver Daniel, Jeff’s 2 son’s Eric (Kaylee) and great granddaughter Macy and Jared (Lorie) and great grandchildren Emma and Ian, Bill’s 2 sons, Alan (Molly) and his children Aaron (Jen) and Haley, and Gary (Pam) and their children Dr. Nicolin Neal MD (Dr. Tomas) Rios MD, and their children Rosalie and Tommy J, and Megan (Travis) Williams and their son TJ. Bill’s sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren were the joys of his life.

Visitation is June 29, 2021 from 2-7 PM. A private, invitation-only memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging, 2037 W. Bullard Ave., #512, Fresno, CA 93711. Please include Bill’s name with any donation.