Bill Essig, or as many knew him—Engineer Bill, was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Bill was, in fact, an accomplished engineer and had great professional success including designing the flexible heat shield that enabled the Apollo II to get to the moon and back. But, the same curiosity and passion that drove him to design and redesign parts and pieces for rocket ships fueled his passion as a Bible scholar and teacher. Outside family, Bill’s great loves were invention and the Holy Scripture.
William “Bill” Edward Essig was born December 29, 1934 in Cleveland, Ohio to Alice Mae Cleveland Essig and William George Essig. Alice’s nickname was “Curly” and the source of Bill’s curly locks. When Bill was four, his family moved to Devon, Connecticut where he went to grade school, most of high school and also where, at fourteen, became a Christian. Bill’s parents did not go to church, but one hot summer day while wandering the streets looking for friends, he found them in the air-conditioned church. Bill became active in the church and president of the youth group. During his senior year, his family moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Bill attended Male High and the University of Louisville.
Bill served in the Army and he was part of the Armed Forces Radio Service, connecting on-duty troops to their home through familiar radio programs. After the Army, Bill completed his studies at Speed Scientific School at the University of Louisville. During his senior year, Bill met his wife of 50 years, Kay, at a friend’s wedding. In 1959, Bill graduated, married, and moved to South Bend Indiana where he worked for Bendix Aerospace.
Bill and Kay moved to California in 1962, and into their home of 32 years in Huntington Beach in 1966 where they raised their children Jeffrey and Jennifer. During this time Bill worked in the aerospace industry including stints at North American Aviation, Rockwell International and Boeing. Bill has as large photo hanging in his home office of the Space Shuttle launching from earth with the inscription, “Best wishes from your many friends at Space Systems.”
Bill retired in 1998 and moved with Kay to Sun City West where they volunteered at the local hospitals, and became active in Trinity Bible Church. At Trinity Bill held the position of Deacon and served in many ways including, treasurer, and Bible Study instructor and probably most famously as the man with deep, radio voice that delivered prayers and benedictions. Kay died in 2013 after several years of illness and Bill was her devoted and skillful caregiver. In 2015, Bill convinced Norma Jean to marry him and he again became a devoted and loving husband. Both Norma and Bill were actively involved in Trinity Bible Church and served in many roles and developed deep friendships. One of Bill’s best friends over the last 20 years has been Don Furrow, pastor of Trinity. Bill and Don share a witty humor and deep passion for Biblical truths.
Bill passed peacefully on November 23, 2020 and is survived by his wife Norma Essig, son Jeff Essig and daughter-in-law Kim Essig; daughter Jennifer Zell and son-in-law Brad Zell; daughter-in-law Judy Butler; grandchildren Samantha Kelley, Sadie Essig, Vadim Essig, Jonah Essig, Luke Zell, Ava Zell; great grandchildren Ruth, Beckham, and Rosie Kelley.
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