William Robert Anderson

He was preceded in death by his parents Nels and Julia Anderson, twin brothers, sister Eileen and son Michael. He is survived by his wife Mary, sisters Vivian and Betty and brother Richard.

William and Mary’s family includes their daughter Deborah, son-in-law Craig, 3 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren; son Andrew, daughter-in-law Margaret, 2 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; daughter Madrienne, son-in-law Tom, 4 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren; son Peter, daughter-in-law Mary and 3 grandchildren; daughter Diane and son-in-law Robert; daughter Sue; daughter Mary, son-in-law Mitch, 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; and their precious kitty Tioga and 9 grand-doggies.

In 1950, William enlisted in United States Navy, Construction Battalion (Seabees) which was recruiting apprentices for direct deployment for the pending Korean War (The Forgotten War). He was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, U. S. Mobile Construction Battalion Three (CB-3) at the Naval Construction Center, Port Hueneme, California and was deployed to Amchitka Island, Alaska, Naval Base Subic Bay and Cubi Point Naval Base in the Philippines. While in the Philippines, William was stricken with malaria and was transported via Navy Hospital Ship to Naval Receiving Hospital San Francisco, California. William recovered but all his life he had malaria fever outbreaks. He was Honorably Discharged in 1954, Builder L, Second Class, USNR-R.

In the winter of 1953 William came to visit his Uncle Martin Anderson, who had a cherry orchard in Cherry Valley, and met his future bride, Mary, at an acquaintance’s home. Thus began his 65 years as a resident of Banning, California. He vowed never to return to the cold of Indiana. William and Mary built two homes for their family in Banning where many memories of family holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, re-unions and a daughter’s wedding, were shared.

From 1953 thru 2003 William, with the assistance of his wife, had several Construction Companies whose projects were predominately in Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. Today his family can see several buildings he constructed or participated as Project Manager and few are as follows: March SAC Air Force Base, Riverside; Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino, George Air Force Base, Victorville; Fort Irwin Army Supply Base, Barstow; San Bernardino School District; University of Redlands; San Bernardino State University; Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, Loma Linda Fire District, San Bernardino Catholic Diocese; ESRI Campus, Redlands; San Manual Stadium, San Bernardino; Maverick Stadium, Adelanto and many commercial buildings and private residences.

His civic duties began by hiring parolees on his construction crew. He volunteered time, money and materials to the construction of Precious Blood Rectory, Sister of Saint Joseph Convent and Saint Mary’s Mission Church. He and his wife Mary sponsored a wonderful South Vietnamese Family, who fled the fall of Saigon, and to this day they are still part of each other’s lives. In 1972 he was elected to the Banning City Council and later became Mayor. During this term two of his most important achievements was securing the 8th Street Rail Road Under Crossing and Lions Parks located in south Banning. In 1992 he was asked to hold a council position temporarily. He was also active in the Fontana Chamber of Commerce were Sink and Anderson Construction Company had it’s office. Additionally, he rescued and took home cats abandoned at his construction sites.

William loved to dance with Mary and take her on cruises and trips exploring National Parks, west and east Caribbean Island, Panama Canal, Peru, Hawaii, Alaska, British Islands, Russia, Estonia, Scandinavian Countries and the rivers Amazon, Columbia, Snake and Thames. Norway was a long time dream to visit as it was the birth country of his father Nels. He also enjoyed his Terrier, Yellow Labrador, Old English Sheep Dogs, Saint Bernards, Siamese Cats, Rescue Cats and small critters and birds that found their home in his beautiful manicured yard.

Upon retiring he would spend 8 hours a day working in his yard and creating a topiary garden which became a haven for wild bunnies. He enjoying talking to his hawks and hummingbirds and waving to his neighbors from his deck, fondly called the “bow”.

On July 9, 2018, William was interned next to his father and several rows from his son Michael at Sunnyslope Cemetery locally referred to as San Gorgonio Cemetery. The service was presided by his grandson Father Tyler and graciously he received full military honors from the United States Navy.

The Anderson Family would like to thank the United States Navy and everyone who knew and were apart of William’s life. May we all keep close our unique precious memories of our friend, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.

Seabees Prayer by R. J. Dietrich

Lord, stand beside the men who build,

And give them courage, strength and skill,

O grant them the peace of heart and mind,

And comfort loved ones left behind,

Lord, Hear our prayer for all SEABEES,

Where’er they be on land and see.

Seabees Motto

We Build, We Fight, Can Do

He will always be remembered and not forgotten; UP UP and AWAY.