William M. Daum

William Marshall Daum passed away in the afternoon of August 24, 2014 at the age of 96. Bill was born in Calexico, California in 1918 to William and Laura Daum (Mansir). He came down with Valley Fever shortly after birth so the family abruptly set off to the San Diego coast. On the way, because of the severe fever, Bill was dunked in a horse trough in Jacumba to break the fever before continuing on. He lived in San Diego from then on, except for a short stint in Bonsall where he attended a one room school house with many Pala Indian children. He grew up in National City where he attended Sweetwater High and graduated in 1936. One of his fondest memories was playing against Ted Williams from Hoover High. He was a catcher and Mr. Williams was the opposing pitcher. Bill comes from a long line of San Diegans, starting with his great-grandfather, Charles Mansir, who was a stagecoach driver during the 1860’s between San Diego and Yuma. Bill was the second oldest of six children; James G., Geneva, Theresa, Yvonne, and James A. Bill joined the Army during WWII and after boot camp was sent off to Europe to participate in General Patton’s March, driving supply trucks to the front lines. He remembered a time during the heat of the march when his trucking group was told to unload all supplies including food and medical supplies, and fill the trucks up with nothing but ammunition. After the war, Bill returned to San Diego and married Harriet Dunn of La Jolla in 1948 at La Jolla Congregational Church, honeymooned in Yosemite, and then settled in Pacific Beach (Crown Point) for the remainder of their life. In 1952, their only child, David, was born. Bill worked as a route driver and manager for Sparkletts Water Company for over 40 years. He was a member for over 60 years of Christ Lutheran Church (Cass St) where he ran the paper drive for many years. He was also active in the Meals on Wheels program after retirement and was President of the Pacific Beach Little League. Bill loved camping and fishing, always planning a new spot to explore during his vacation time, traveling throughout the most beautiful areas in the West in their small travel trailer. Bill moved to his “second home”, Butterfly Gardens in La Jolla, at age 94, where Leo and staff catered to his every need. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet, and his five siblings. He is survived by son David and daughter-in-law Lisa of Fairbanks, Alaska and grandchildren Laura (Boise, Idaho) and Logan (Washington DC). Bill will be buried next to Harriet in a private ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Bill has requested donations be made to Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Fund (4761 Cass St, San Diego, 92109).