William Lawrence Tos Jr.

Bill was born on October 21, 1958 to Annetta Braam Tos and William Lawrence Tos, Sr., both also lifelong residents of Hanford.

Bill will be fondly remembered for his commitment to his faith in Jesus Christ, his family, and farming. He lived his life in a way where all three were closely intertwined, creating a strong framework for those around him. He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Hanford for his entire life, and cheerfully served as a deacon, elder, Chairman of Council, and on other committees whenever called upon. He also served on the boards of Hanford Christian School and Central Valley Christian School for a number of years, as he felt called to ensure a Christian education would be available to all. He raised his children to walk with the Lord, and he believed a Christian education was integral to that end.

His love of basketball was known to many. He played for Hanford High School from 1972 to 1976 and for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from 1976 to 1980. He passed on his love for the game to all his children who played basketball in youth leagues and through high school. He attended every game he could and occasionally served as an assistant coach, fully supporting his children in all their athletic endeavors, including his son, Mark’s, college football career at UC Davis.

Bill was passionate about agriculture and feeding the world. He believed that the science he used for farming brilliantly displays God’s plan and design for Creation--not just the trees of the field, but the plans He has for each one of us. Bill began farming with his father, uncle, and brother in 1981. Since then, his nephew and son joined the farming operation. He took great pleasure in farming the fertile Central Valley ground pausing now and then to marvel in wonder at the design of the Almighty. Bill was heavily involved in the walnut industry, serving on the Board of Directors of Diamond Walnuts and Diamond Walnut Grower Advisory Committee. He also served on the California Walnut Commission, and was President of the Sequoia Walnut Grower Association. He was passionate about sharing his love of agriculture with teachers through the Education and Agriculture Together Foundation (E.A.T.) and participated in that program for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda; their two daughters and one son-in-law, Leslie Tos and Erika and Rhys Clark, all of San Luis Obispo; their son and daughter-in-law, Jordan and Mark Tos, of Kingsburg; grandchildren Corban, Avery, Ryland, and Peyton Tos, and Willem Clark; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Lynnel and Bruce Huizen, and Sylvia and Bill Stouten; one brother and sister-in-law, Victoria and John Tos; a sister-in-law Paula Papadopoulous of Raleigh, NC; and seven nephews and six nieces.

A memorial service will take place at the First Christian Reformed Church, 2175 Leoni Drive, Hanford at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 11. Burial will take place prior to the service at 8:30 am at the Kings River Cemetery, 10499 Dover Ave., Hanford, CA 93230.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

- Community Cancer Institute in Bill’s memory. Visit www.communitymedical.org/donate/areas-to-support/support-cancer-services or call Community Health System’s Office of Philanthropy at (559) 724-4343.

- Hanford Christian School Endowment Fund, 11948 Flint Ave., Hanford, CA 93230.