William J. Zaro, 92, born on September 25,1919 in Los Angeles, CA, died on June 19, 2012 and went on to his next assignment. Bill Zaro was the last of four sons born to Antonio and Elizabetta Zaro. He was raised in a loving, cheerful, Catholic Italian American family in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from high school in 1937, then served two years in the Civilian Conservation Corp during the Great Depression. He then went on to San Jose State University. A month after Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was sent to the South Pacific for most of World War II. His military career lasted 30 years, and included serving in the Korean War and in Vietnam. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1972, Bill moved from the east coast to California, and began a second career at Desert Island in Rancho Mirage, CA. He held several positions at Desert Island over his thirty-plus years there and made lifelong friends. He loved the area, and this second phase of his life and stayed here until he died. He was married twice. First to Vee Zaro, who was also a Marine. They met at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina during World War II, and were married for nineteen years. They had two children, Catheryn Zaro (deceased), and Marilyn Keith (Michael Keith). After their divorce, he later married Josephine Zaro. After his second marriage also ended in divorce, he remained a bachelor for the rest of his life. Bill was fortunate to have one granddaughter, Cathy Bailey (David Bailey), and one great grandson, Ethan Bailey. He is also survived by nephew, John Zaro, cousins and great nieces and nephews. His military career was a great source of pride, and his decorations, commendations and military campaign awards are literally too numerous to mention. Bill joined the Marines as a private in the enlisted ranks, and quickly advanced to artillery platoon commander and then battery commander. From then on he was steadily promoted. During the Korean War he became the regimental operations officer for the 7th Marines. Later in his career he was assigned to Bangkok, Thailand as the senior Marine Corp Advisor to the Royal Thai Marine Corps. In Vietnam, now Colonel Zaro served as commanding officer of the Fifth Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was later awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat Distinguishing Device. His last post was to Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia as Post Commander. He cared deeply for all of "his troops," and the men and women who served with him. Bill loved traveling and during his military career he was sent all over the world - from Okinawa, to Norway, Europe, Hawaii and more. He traveled extensively in the United States. He loved hiking and exploring the California desert area and mountains. He was a wonderful story-teller, and told great stories about his travels, his early Italian family life, and his military career, (including his experiences with the dreaded mosquitoes in Pango-Pango). Bill was an educated man, loved the outdoors, had a great sense of humor, enjoyed friends and family, and made a great martini. He was a die-hard Angels fan, and played baseball seriously as a young man, and enjoyed watching the game until shortly before his death. He was a kind father who gave his daughters every lesson they ever wanted (horseback riding, dance!), and some that they did not want (archery, fencing!). In his late eighties he was still buying Christmas ornaments for future holidays. Bill Zaro had a rich, truly long life, and lived it to the fullest. He was a unique person, and will be missed. He was laid to rest on June 23, 2012, at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, CA, along with is grandparents, parents and brothers. In his memory, donations can be made to any veterans group. Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit mydesert.com/obituaries.

Published in The Desert Sun from June 30 to July 2, 2012