William Henry Pritchard

William Henry Pritchard, affectionately known as Mr. Bill, Pritchard, or Uncle Buddy, was born in West Norfolk, Virginia on May 4, 1931, to the union of Henry Pritchard and Emily Anita Norman. They raised their family of two: Bill and Lillie, lovingly known as Pie, and were members of First Baptist Church in West Norfolk. and graduated from I.C. Norco High School in Portsmouth, VA. Before joining the military, he enrolled and received a certificate in Culinary Arts, which would set his career trajectory and passion in food services.

As an adult, he served in the Air Force and received an honorary discharge as a Tech. Sergeant with 22 years, 7 months, and 12 days. His military service took him all around the world including France, Germany, and Korea, Tucson, AZ; Anchorage, AK; Grand Forks, ND, Niagara Falls, NY, and Merced, CA. He was later stationed at Castle Air Force Base of Atwater, CA which is where he met his loving wife, Ella Mae Pritchard, of 61 years. After his retirement, Bill attended Modesto Community College and received his Associate of Arts degree in business. Bill expanded his work career by working at The BBQ Pit from April 1973 until February 1981 followed by working in Turlock Unified School District Food Services. Also, Bill devoted himself as a member and served for 50 years to the Blue Lodge, Scottish Rites, the Shrine and held various offices in Fresno & Oakland.

If you knew anything about Pritchard, he was shaarrppppp— some of his notable fashion choices over the years always involved a wow factor. From a head-to-toe purple ensemble; salmon pants; mauve 3-piece suit; red hat and boots; leather vest; or any outfit that he paired with his plethora of colored snakeskin boots.

Bill was extraordinarily gifted in the kitchen, learning the fundamentals from his mom and the culinary arts class. He picked up the tricks of the trade while he was in the Air Force. He made the best tri-tip, hands down. It was made with so much love and patience and each time the dry rub made you nostalgic for the small galley kitchen in Merced that whipped up some of the best food you ever had. For a diabetic he had the biggest, sweet tooth and enjoyed any type of candy and ice cream.

Most importantly, Bill was a gentle, kind soul and a family man. Bill always enjoyed being with his family and was happy when he was with them. He continuously put his family (immediate and extended) first and it showed in the way he interacted with his family and always made them feel loved and welcomed. For example, Bill would sit on the phone with his sister and talk for hours— they would fall asleep, wake up, and pick up where they left off. He always talked about the importance of family and how family should stick together because that is how his mom raised Lil and him. When people, not directly related to him, talked about how great and welcoming his wife was, they always followed up with how great he was too. Pritchard also extended his love to his close friends Arthur Simon, Wahl, Clay, Otis Morris aka Moe, and Gary Jackson. One of his favorite stories to tell was when he had just started out in the Air Force, he would send his mom bonds each month with a handwritten letter. When he got out of the military, his mom saved all the bonds Bill sent her and gave them back to him. Family was everything to him.

Pritchard was charismatic and had a swagger that made you want to gravitate towards him and listen to his words of wisdom. He enjoyed telling raunchy jokes that would make anyone blush and laugh including his wife, who would laugh, shake her head, and say “stop that.” He also enjoyed going to the casino (on every shift all the Pit Bosses and Dealers knew him by name); playing cards (even though he would sleep through the game, he somehow knew what card to play); chopping wood (because both Ella Mae and him were always cold); watching TV (as he got older in age the volume increased; he had a great affinity towards soap operas; football; westerns; and action shows); and napping.

Bill lived a long life full of memories and gratitude for the family that he was a part of and the family that he helped create and raise. When asked if he regretted anything in his life, he responded with “Not a damn thing.” Leaving an abundance of love and wisdom, Pritchard was called home to rest in the house of the Lord and reunited with his loved ones that he had greatly missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Pritchard and Emily Anita Norman; wife, Ella Mae; sister, Lillie Pritchard Robertson (James); niece, Judith Robertson Brown; and others. Bill leaves to cherish his memory: daughters— Charity Pritchard (Tracy) of Patterson, CA; Tamera Pantejo of Atwater, CA; and Joyce Hanson (Jamal) of Oakland, CA; sons— Joe Pritchard (Janie) of Talbotton, GA and Art Hanson of Merced, CA; nephew—Tyrone Robertson of Norfolk, VA; niece— Gloria Williams (Joe) of Chesapeake, VA; host of grandchildren, relatives and friends.

A funeral service for William will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, California.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stratfordevansfunerals.com for the Pritchard family.