Saturday memorial service set for crash victim Bill Blanchard ~ By Will Bigham, Staff Writer
William Briggs Blanchard lived in the Inland Valley for more than seven decades. In that span, he raised a family and built lasting friendships.
So when Blanchard's loved ones gather this morning for his memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Upland, his wife expects a large crowd.
"That church will be packed," Arlene Blanchard said. "The church only holds 350, but they'll be out the door, I'm sure."
William Blanchard, known as "Bill," died at 76 last week following a car crash in which police say Blanchard's pickup truck was hit by a parolee fleeing police in a stolen car. The driver has been charged with murder.
Arlene Blanchard was reluctant Friday to discuss her husband's death, saying she was "broken in pieces" when her son called with the news.
"I just want to put Bill to rest," she said.
At an age when many people are satisfied with retirement, Blanchard continued to work full time at Cable Airport, where he was planning director, his wife said. He worked at the airport since 1978.
He was a lifelong musician, and at the time of his death he had leading duties in two local groups: the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band and Bill Blanchard's Little Big Band, which he formed.
The Upland resident had lunch every day with his 100-year-old mother, who lives in a retirement community in Claremont.
"That's one of the reasons I married him," Arlene Blanchard said. "She's a wonderful woman. We're very close."
Blanchard's active lifestyle kept him healthy and often fooled friends about his true age, his wife said.
"He looked 10 years younger than he was," she said.
Blanchard's family moved to Southern California from Ohio when Blanchard was 3 years old. The family settled in Claremont, where Blanchard attended Webb School and Pomona College.
He married his first wife, Helen Blanchard, in 1957. The couple had five children. Helen Blanchard died in 1996, and Bill Blanchard remarried in 1999.
Jack Mercer, director of the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band, said he met Blanchard in 1958, when both were music instructors - Mercer at Chaffey High School and Blanchard and Chaffey College.
About 5 or 6 years ago, Blanchard jointed Mercer's show band as a keyboard player, Mercer said. From there Blanchard's role grew, and he began composing music for the group and occasionally conducting.
"He was a perfectly beautiful man, in every respect," Mercer said.
Blanchard's Little Big Band kept a busy schedule - performing often at retirement communities, birthday parties and school reunions.
The group performed four times in the two months before Blanchard's death, and it had six performances scheduled the rest of the year, according to the band's website.
Arlene Blanchard said the group is scheduled to play Sunday in Beaumont. Despite Blanchard's passing, the group plans to perform "in memory of him," she said.
Blanchard's memorial service is set to begin this morning at 11:15 at First United Methodist Church, 262 N. Euclid Ave. in Upland.
Before the ceremony, Blanchard will be buried in a private ceremony at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, his wife said.
Blanchard is survived by five children, two step-children, five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
====================================================
The following was published in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on July 9, 2010:
Although born in Ohio Bill became a Southern Californian at the age of 3 and remained so the rest of his life.
He graduated from Webb School in 1951. It was there that he developed his interest and ability in writing and arranging music. He wrote the music for his first two musicals, "For Land's Sake" and "Well, Why Not?" He graduated in 1955 from Pomona College with a major in music and a minor in math. Again during those 4 years he wrote and arranged music for a variety of successful shows. One of them, "Run for Cover" had a short stint at a theater in Los Angeles. He received his M.A. from Eastman School of Music in 1956. It was there that he met Helen Louise Kennedy whom he married in 1957 shortly before he headed off to Korea where he played trumpet and French horn in the 8th Army Band. Here, too, he made musical arrangements, this time for performances before the Army generals. When he returned to the States he started teaching instrumental music for Chaffey College. After nine years he switched to full time math. Ever creative, he developed a self-paced math lab, which involved designing the carrels, writing all the materials and making the slides and tapes used to teach the courses. During the 60’s he directed the boy's choir at Webb School.
Bill and Helen had five children, David, Gary, Melinda, Debbie (Mike Nelsen) and Rusty (Carisa). All remain very close - keeping in touch and getting together for a variety of family activities and events even though David and Melinda no longer live in the area. There are 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
In 1971 he learned to fly. Subsequently he became a flight instructor. He taught Helen (and later his son Rusty) to fly. They were both avid and enthusiastic pilots and were active in many local flying associations and activities. This interest led Bill to become associated with Cable airport in 1978. When he retired from Chaffey, he began working as their Planning Director and has been involved with preparing their Master Plans and most recently developing their new Security System. He was still employed by them at the time of his death.
Helen passed away unexpectedly in 1996. After several very lonely years, Bill met and married Arlene Hartman in 1999. He had met her son, Mike, many years earlier in connection with flying activities and then had gotten to know her through her work at Cable Airport. With this marriage he gained a son and a daughter and son-in-law (Sue and Al Stevens) and two grandsons. A new phase of life began for both of them. Arlene was interested in popular music (the oldies but goodies) and with her encouragement Bill returned to his musical roots and became very enthusiastic about creating big band arrangements for his Bill Blanchard Little Big Band and the Harmony Sisters. He was the Associate Conductor of the Ontario/ Chaffey Community Show Band for about 6 years where he also wrote over 100 musical arrangements. In addition he became a helpmate to Arlene with the Beauty Salons that she owns in Upland, working as a “handyman", plumber, carpenter etc.
He shared lunch on a daily basis with his mother Mary Elizabeth Blanchard and regularly helped her out with those little complications of life that can be difficult for a 100 year old woman! At the time of his death he was truly "at the top of his game", active, happy, challenged by his work and his musical endeavors, involved in his family, enjoying children, grand- children and great grandchildren, and planning several future trips. He leaves behind a large extended family that will miss him terribly, but recognize how fortunate they were to have had his enthusiastic involvement in their lives.
William Briggs Blanchard lived in the Inland Valley for more than seven decades. In that span, he raised a family and built lasting friendships.
So when Blanchard's loved ones gather this morning for his memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Upland, his wife expects a large crowd.
"That church will be packed," Arlene Blanchard said. "The church only holds 350, but they'll be out the door, I'm sure."
William Blanchard, known as "Bill," died at 76 last week following a car crash in which police say Blanchard's pickup truck was hit by a parolee fleeing police in a stolen car. The driver has been charged with murder.
Arlene Blanchard was reluctant Friday to discuss her husband's death, saying she was "broken in pieces" when her son called with the news.
"I just want to put Bill to rest," she said.
At an age when many people are satisfied with retirement, Blanchard continued to work full time at Cable Airport, where he was planning director, his wife said. He worked at the airport since 1978.
He was a lifelong musician, and at the time of his death he had leading duties in two local groups: the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band and Bill Blanchard's Little Big Band, which he formed.
The Upland resident had lunch every day with his 100-year-old mother, who lives in a retirement community in Claremont.
"That's one of the reasons I married him," Arlene Blanchard said. "She's a wonderful woman. We're very close."
Blanchard's active lifestyle kept him healthy and often fooled friends about his true age, his wife said.
"He looked 10 years younger than he was," she said.
Blanchard's family moved to Southern California from Ohio when Blanchard was 3 years old. The family settled in Claremont, where Blanchard attended Webb School and Pomona College.
He married his first wife, Helen Blanchard, in 1957. The couple had five children. Helen Blanchard died in 1996, and Bill Blanchard remarried in 1999.
Jack Mercer, director of the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band, said he met Blanchard in 1958, when both were music instructors - Mercer at Chaffey High School and Blanchard and Chaffey College.
About 5 or 6 years ago, Blanchard jointed Mercer's show band as a keyboard player, Mercer said. From there Blanchard's role grew, and he began composing music for the group and occasionally conducting.
"He was a perfectly beautiful man, in every respect," Mercer said.
Blanchard's Little Big Band kept a busy schedule - performing often at retirement communities, birthday parties and school reunions.
The group performed four times in the two months before Blanchard's death, and it had six performances scheduled the rest of the year, according to the band's website.
Arlene Blanchard said the group is scheduled to play Sunday in Beaumont. Despite Blanchard's passing, the group plans to perform "in memory of him," she said.
Blanchard's memorial service is set to begin this morning at 11:15 at First United Methodist Church, 262 N. Euclid Ave. in Upland.
Before the ceremony, Blanchard will be buried in a private ceremony at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, his wife said.
Blanchard is survived by five children, two step-children, five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
====================================================
The following was published in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on July 9, 2010:
Although born in Ohio Bill became a Southern Californian at the age of 3 and remained so the rest of his life.
He graduated from Webb School in 1951. It was there that he developed his interest and ability in writing and arranging music. He wrote the music for his first two musicals, "For Land's Sake" and "Well, Why Not?" He graduated in 1955 from Pomona College with a major in music and a minor in math. Again during those 4 years he wrote and arranged music for a variety of successful shows. One of them, "Run for Cover" had a short stint at a theater in Los Angeles. He received his M.A. from Eastman School of Music in 1956. It was there that he met Helen Louise Kennedy whom he married in 1957 shortly before he headed off to Korea where he played trumpet and French horn in the 8th Army Band. Here, too, he made musical arrangements, this time for performances before the Army generals. When he returned to the States he started teaching instrumental music for Chaffey College. After nine years he switched to full time math. Ever creative, he developed a self-paced math lab, which involved designing the carrels, writing all the materials and making the slides and tapes used to teach the courses. During the 60’s he directed the boy's choir at Webb School.
Bill and Helen had five children, David, Gary, Melinda, Debbie (Mike Nelsen) and Rusty (Carisa). All remain very close - keeping in touch and getting together for a variety of family activities and events even though David and Melinda no longer live in the area. There are 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
In 1971 he learned to fly. Subsequently he became a flight instructor. He taught Helen (and later his son Rusty) to fly. They were both avid and enthusiastic pilots and were active in many local flying associations and activities. This interest led Bill to become associated with Cable airport in 1978. When he retired from Chaffey, he began working as their Planning Director and has been involved with preparing their Master Plans and most recently developing their new Security System. He was still employed by them at the time of his death.
Helen passed away unexpectedly in 1996. After several very lonely years, Bill met and married Arlene Hartman in 1999. He had met her son, Mike, many years earlier in connection with flying activities and then had gotten to know her through her work at Cable Airport. With this marriage he gained a son and a daughter and son-in-law (Sue and Al Stevens) and two grandsons. A new phase of life began for both of them. Arlene was interested in popular music (the oldies but goodies) and with her encouragement Bill returned to his musical roots and became very enthusiastic about creating big band arrangements for his Bill Blanchard Little Big Band and the Harmony Sisters. He was the Associate Conductor of the Ontario/ Chaffey Community Show Band for about 6 years where he also wrote over 100 musical arrangements. In addition he became a helpmate to Arlene with the Beauty Salons that she owns in Upland, working as a “handyman", plumber, carpenter etc.
He shared lunch on a daily basis with his mother Mary Elizabeth Blanchard and regularly helped her out with those little complications of life that can be difficult for a 100 year old woman! At the time of his death he was truly "at the top of his game", active, happy, challenged by his work and his musical endeavors, involved in his family, enjoying children, grand- children and great grandchildren, and planning several future trips. He leaves behind a large extended family that will miss him terribly, but recognize how fortunate they were to have had his enthusiastic involvement in their lives.
Saturday memorial service set for crash victim Bill Blanchard ~ By Will Bigham, Staff Writer
William Briggs Blanchard lived in the Inland Valley for more than seven decades. In that span, he raised a family and built lasting friendships.
So when Blanchard's loved ones gather this morning for his memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Upland, his wife expects a large crowd.
"That church will be packed," Arlene Blanchard said. "The church only holds 350, but they'll be out the door, I'm sure."
William Blanchard, known as "Bill," died at 76 last week following a car crash in which police say Blanchard's pickup truck was hit by a parolee fleeing police in a stolen car. The driver has been charged with murder.
Arlene Blanchard was reluctant Friday to discuss her husband's death, saying she was "broken in pieces" when her son called with the news.
"I just want to put Bill to rest," she said.
At an age when many people are satisfied with retirement, Blanchard continued to work full time at Cable Airport, where he was planning director, his wife said. He worked at the airport since 1978.
He was a lifelong musician, and at the time of his death he had leading duties in two local groups: the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band and Bill Blanchard's Little Big Band, which he formed.
The Upland resident had lunch every day with his 100-year-old mother, who lives in a retirement community in Claremont.
"That's one of the reasons I married him," Arlene Blanchard said. "She's a wonderful woman. We're very close."
Blanchard's active lifestyle kept him healthy and often fooled friends about his true age, his wife said.
"He looked 10 years younger than he was," she said.
Blanchard's family moved to Southern California from Ohio when Blanchard was 3 years old. The family settled in Claremont, where Blanchard attended Webb School and Pomona College.
He married his first wife, Helen Blanchard, in 1957. The couple had five children. Helen Blanchard died in 1996, and Bill Blanchard remarried in 1999.
Jack Mercer, director of the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band, said he met Blanchard in 1958, when both were music instructors - Mercer at Chaffey High School and Blanchard and Chaffey College.
About 5 or 6 years ago, Blanchard jointed Mercer's show band as a keyboard player, Mercer said. From there Blanchard's role grew, and he began composing music for the group and occasionally conducting.
"He was a perfectly beautiful man, in every respect," Mercer said.
Blanchard's Little Big Band kept a busy schedule - performing often at retirement communities, birthday parties and school reunions.
The group performed four times in the two months before Blanchard's death, and it had six performances scheduled the rest of the year, according to the band's website.
Arlene Blanchard said the group is scheduled to play Sunday in Beaumont. Despite Blanchard's passing, the group plans to perform "in memory of him," she said.
Blanchard's memorial service is set to begin this morning at 11:15 at First United Methodist Church, 262 N. Euclid Ave. in Upland.
Before the ceremony, Blanchard will be buried in a private ceremony at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, his wife said.
Blanchard is survived by five children, two step-children, five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
====================================================
The following was published in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on July 9, 2010:
Although born in Ohio Bill became a Southern Californian at the age of 3 and remained so the rest of his life.
He graduated from Webb School in 1951. It was there that he developed his interest and ability in writing and arranging music. He wrote the music for his first two musicals, "For Land's Sake" and "Well, Why Not?" He graduated in 1955 from Pomona College with a major in music and a minor in math. Again during those 4 years he wrote and arranged music for a variety of successful shows. One of them, "Run for Cover" had a short stint at a theater in Los Angeles. He received his M.A. from Eastman School of Music in 1956. It was there that he met Helen Louise Kennedy whom he married in 1957 shortly before he headed off to Korea where he played trumpet and French horn in the 8th Army Band. Here, too, he made musical arrangements, this time for performances before the Army generals. When he returned to the States he started teaching instrumental music for Chaffey College. After nine years he switched to full time math. Ever creative, he developed a self-paced math lab, which involved designing the carrels, writing all the materials and making the slides and tapes used to teach the courses. During the 60’s he directed the boy's choir at Webb School.
Bill and Helen had five children, David, Gary, Melinda, Debbie (Mike Nelsen) and Rusty (Carisa). All remain very close - keeping in touch and getting together for a variety of family activities and events even though David and Melinda no longer live in the area. There are 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
In 1971 he learned to fly. Subsequently he became a flight instructor. He taught Helen (and later his son Rusty) to fly. They were both avid and enthusiastic pilots and were active in many local flying associations and activities. This interest led Bill to become associated with Cable airport in 1978. When he retired from Chaffey, he began working as their Planning Director and has been involved with preparing their Master Plans and most recently developing their new Security System. He was still employed by them at the time of his death.
Helen passed away unexpectedly in 1996. After several very lonely years, Bill met and married Arlene Hartman in 1999. He had met her son, Mike, many years earlier in connection with flying activities and then had gotten to know her through her work at Cable Airport. With this marriage he gained a son and a daughter and son-in-law (Sue and Al Stevens) and two grandsons. A new phase of life began for both of them. Arlene was interested in popular music (the oldies but goodies) and with her encouragement Bill returned to his musical roots and became very enthusiastic about creating big band arrangements for his Bill Blanchard Little Big Band and the Harmony Sisters. He was the Associate Conductor of the Ontario/ Chaffey Community Show Band for about 6 years where he also wrote over 100 musical arrangements. In addition he became a helpmate to Arlene with the Beauty Salons that she owns in Upland, working as a “handyman", plumber, carpenter etc.
He shared lunch on a daily basis with his mother Mary Elizabeth Blanchard and regularly helped her out with those little complications of life that can be difficult for a 100 year old woman! At the time of his death he was truly "at the top of his game", active, happy, challenged by his work and his musical endeavors, involved in his family, enjoying children, grand- children and great grandchildren, and planning several future trips. He leaves behind a large extended family that will miss him terribly, but recognize how fortunate they were to have had his enthusiastic involvement in their lives.
William Briggs Blanchard lived in the Inland Valley for more than seven decades. In that span, he raised a family and built lasting friendships.
So when Blanchard's loved ones gather this morning for his memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Upland, his wife expects a large crowd.
"That church will be packed," Arlene Blanchard said. "The church only holds 350, but they'll be out the door, I'm sure."
William Blanchard, known as "Bill," died at 76 last week following a car crash in which police say Blanchard's pickup truck was hit by a parolee fleeing police in a stolen car. The driver has been charged with murder.
Arlene Blanchard was reluctant Friday to discuss her husband's death, saying she was "broken in pieces" when her son called with the news.
"I just want to put Bill to rest," she said.
At an age when many people are satisfied with retirement, Blanchard continued to work full time at Cable Airport, where he was planning director, his wife said. He worked at the airport since 1978.
He was a lifelong musician, and at the time of his death he had leading duties in two local groups: the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band and Bill Blanchard's Little Big Band, which he formed.
The Upland resident had lunch every day with his 100-year-old mother, who lives in a retirement community in Claremont.
"That's one of the reasons I married him," Arlene Blanchard said. "She's a wonderful woman. We're very close."
Blanchard's active lifestyle kept him healthy and often fooled friends about his true age, his wife said.
"He looked 10 years younger than he was," she said.
Blanchard's family moved to Southern California from Ohio when Blanchard was 3 years old. The family settled in Claremont, where Blanchard attended Webb School and Pomona College.
He married his first wife, Helen Blanchard, in 1957. The couple had five children. Helen Blanchard died in 1996, and Bill Blanchard remarried in 1999.
Jack Mercer, director of the Ontario/Chaffey Community Show Band, said he met Blanchard in 1958, when both were music instructors - Mercer at Chaffey High School and Blanchard and Chaffey College.
About 5 or 6 years ago, Blanchard jointed Mercer's show band as a keyboard player, Mercer said. From there Blanchard's role grew, and he began composing music for the group and occasionally conducting.
"He was a perfectly beautiful man, in every respect," Mercer said.
Blanchard's Little Big Band kept a busy schedule - performing often at retirement communities, birthday parties and school reunions.
The group performed four times in the two months before Blanchard's death, and it had six performances scheduled the rest of the year, according to the band's website.
Arlene Blanchard said the group is scheduled to play Sunday in Beaumont. Despite Blanchard's passing, the group plans to perform "in memory of him," she said.
Blanchard's memorial service is set to begin this morning at 11:15 at First United Methodist Church, 262 N. Euclid Ave. in Upland.
Before the ceremony, Blanchard will be buried in a private ceremony at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, his wife said.
Blanchard is survived by five children, two step-children, five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
====================================================
The following was published in Inland Valley Daily Bulletin on July 9, 2010:
Although born in Ohio Bill became a Southern Californian at the age of 3 and remained so the rest of his life.
He graduated from Webb School in 1951. It was there that he developed his interest and ability in writing and arranging music. He wrote the music for his first two musicals, "For Land's Sake" and "Well, Why Not?" He graduated in 1955 from Pomona College with a major in music and a minor in math. Again during those 4 years he wrote and arranged music for a variety of successful shows. One of them, "Run for Cover" had a short stint at a theater in Los Angeles. He received his M.A. from Eastman School of Music in 1956. It was there that he met Helen Louise Kennedy whom he married in 1957 shortly before he headed off to Korea where he played trumpet and French horn in the 8th Army Band. Here, too, he made musical arrangements, this time for performances before the Army generals. When he returned to the States he started teaching instrumental music for Chaffey College. After nine years he switched to full time math. Ever creative, he developed a self-paced math lab, which involved designing the carrels, writing all the materials and making the slides and tapes used to teach the courses. During the 60’s he directed the boy's choir at Webb School.
Bill and Helen had five children, David, Gary, Melinda, Debbie (Mike Nelsen) and Rusty (Carisa). All remain very close - keeping in touch and getting together for a variety of family activities and events even though David and Melinda no longer live in the area. There are 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
In 1971 he learned to fly. Subsequently he became a flight instructor. He taught Helen (and later his son Rusty) to fly. They were both avid and enthusiastic pilots and were active in many local flying associations and activities. This interest led Bill to become associated with Cable airport in 1978. When he retired from Chaffey, he began working as their Planning Director and has been involved with preparing their Master Plans and most recently developing their new Security System. He was still employed by them at the time of his death.
Helen passed away unexpectedly in 1996. After several very lonely years, Bill met and married Arlene Hartman in 1999. He had met her son, Mike, many years earlier in connection with flying activities and then had gotten to know her through her work at Cable Airport. With this marriage he gained a son and a daughter and son-in-law (Sue and Al Stevens) and two grandsons. A new phase of life began for both of them. Arlene was interested in popular music (the oldies but goodies) and with her encouragement Bill returned to his musical roots and became very enthusiastic about creating big band arrangements for his Bill Blanchard Little Big Band and the Harmony Sisters. He was the Associate Conductor of the Ontario/ Chaffey Community Show Band for about 6 years where he also wrote over 100 musical arrangements. In addition he became a helpmate to Arlene with the Beauty Salons that she owns in Upland, working as a “handyman", plumber, carpenter etc.
He shared lunch on a daily basis with his mother Mary Elizabeth Blanchard and regularly helped her out with those little complications of life that can be difficult for a 100 year old woman! At the time of his death he was truly "at the top of his game", active, happy, challenged by his work and his musical endeavors, involved in his family, enjoying children, grand- children and great grandchildren, and planning several future trips. He leaves behind a large extended family that will miss him terribly, but recognize how fortunate they were to have had his enthusiastic involvement in their lives.
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