Bill McGrath passed away at 97 years of age on Thursday, July 2nd, 2020, at the West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, in West Hills, California, after a brief, acute illness.
Bill was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Raymond Mathew McGrath and Kathryn Saint Herdt in 1922. He grew up close to the Churchill Downs Racetrack. His father and grandfather were saddle and harness makers.
Bill can truly be counted with America’s “Greatest Generation”, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from February 1943 to March 1946. He was a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, and served at the 214th Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, French Morocco, and aboard the USS PC 1178. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged honorably, and returned to civilian life in southern California.
He met Isabelle Jeannette Smith, of Tracy, Minnesota, who had also recently mustered out of military service, from the Army nursing corps. They were married in 1950, and by 1951 had started their family with the birth of their first son Mark. They purchased their longtime home in Northridge, California, about the same time.
Bill was a Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, for 33 years... working in the greater San Fernando Valley. He retired in the 1980’s.
Bill pursued a variety of hobbies and interests. As a younger man, he enjoyed surf fishing. He frequently fished the shores of Ventura County, and enjoyed to company longtime friend and co-worker Willis Perry. He caught perch, sand sharks and rays, and once even caught a sizable lobster that grabbed onto his bait and wouldn’t let go. He was involved for several years in the keeping of racing pigeons. He took many family camping trips, to places like Mineral King and Big Sur. He had a lifelong interest in health and fitness. In his later years, as a widower, the local senior center became the focus of his social life. He developed friendships, had meals, took classes, and enjoyed day trips to a variety of locales. He especially enjoyed overnight trips to casinos... sometimes closer to home, as well as to Las Vegas & Laughlin. He enjoyed flashing his impressive collection of casino player cards, which was an inch thick.
Bill was preceded in death by his spouse of 54 years, Isabelle McGrath... his sister, Mary Rae Julia McGrath Ryan... and two of his children, Donald Robert “Don” McGrath and Jane Ellen McGrath Holcombe.
Surviving children include Mark William McGrath (and Cyndee Zahorik) of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Paul Edward McGrath of Downey, CA, together with daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” McGrath, and son-in-law, Brian Holcombe. Grandchildren are William “Bill” McGrath (and wife Stacey), James “Jim” McGrath, Jonathan McGrath, Steven McGrath and John Holcombe. Great grandchildren are William “Billy” McGrath, Emily Jane McGrath and Rocket McGrath.
Bill was laid to rest on July 9, 2020, at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in the Veterans Garden. Many family members were present. The service was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey. A U.S. Navy honor guard rendered military honors, recognizing Bill’s service. His flag was presented to his daughter-in-law Betty McGrath.
All of Bill’s family extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Steve McGrath and Betty McGrath, for their many acts of service and kindness to Bill during his final months. They made it possible for him to continue living independently and well, for as long as possible.
Bill was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Raymond Mathew McGrath and Kathryn Saint Herdt in 1922. He grew up close to the Churchill Downs Racetrack. His father and grandfather were saddle and harness makers.
Bill can truly be counted with America’s “Greatest Generation”, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from February 1943 to March 1946. He was a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, and served at the 214th Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, French Morocco, and aboard the USS PC 1178. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged honorably, and returned to civilian life in southern California.
He met Isabelle Jeannette Smith, of Tracy, Minnesota, who had also recently mustered out of military service, from the Army nursing corps. They were married in 1950, and by 1951 had started their family with the birth of their first son Mark. They purchased their longtime home in Northridge, California, about the same time.
Bill was a Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, for 33 years... working in the greater San Fernando Valley. He retired in the 1980’s.
Bill pursued a variety of hobbies and interests. As a younger man, he enjoyed surf fishing. He frequently fished the shores of Ventura County, and enjoyed to company longtime friend and co-worker Willis Perry. He caught perch, sand sharks and rays, and once even caught a sizable lobster that grabbed onto his bait and wouldn’t let go. He was involved for several years in the keeping of racing pigeons. He took many family camping trips, to places like Mineral King and Big Sur. He had a lifelong interest in health and fitness. In his later years, as a widower, the local senior center became the focus of his social life. He developed friendships, had meals, took classes, and enjoyed day trips to a variety of locales. He especially enjoyed overnight trips to casinos... sometimes closer to home, as well as to Las Vegas & Laughlin. He enjoyed flashing his impressive collection of casino player cards, which was an inch thick.
Bill was preceded in death by his spouse of 54 years, Isabelle McGrath... his sister, Mary Rae Julia McGrath Ryan... and two of his children, Donald Robert “Don” McGrath and Jane Ellen McGrath Holcombe.
Surviving children include Mark William McGrath (and Cyndee Zahorik) of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Paul Edward McGrath of Downey, CA, together with daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” McGrath, and son-in-law, Brian Holcombe. Grandchildren are William “Bill” McGrath (and wife Stacey), James “Jim” McGrath, Jonathan McGrath, Steven McGrath and John Holcombe. Great grandchildren are William “Billy” McGrath, Emily Jane McGrath and Rocket McGrath.
Bill was laid to rest on July 9, 2020, at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in the Veterans Garden. Many family members were present. The service was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey. A U.S. Navy honor guard rendered military honors, recognizing Bill’s service. His flag was presented to his daughter-in-law Betty McGrath.
All of Bill’s family extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Steve McGrath and Betty McGrath, for their many acts of service and kindness to Bill during his final months. They made it possible for him to continue living independently and well, for as long as possible.
Bill McGrath passed away at 97 years of age on Thursday, July 2nd, 2020, at the West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, in West Hills, California, after a brief, acute illness.
Bill was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Raymond Mathew McGrath and Kathryn Saint Herdt in 1922. He grew up close to the Churchill Downs Racetrack. His father and grandfather were saddle and harness makers.
Bill can truly be counted with America’s “Greatest Generation”, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from February 1943 to March 1946. He was a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, and served at the 214th Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, French Morocco, and aboard the USS PC 1178. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged honorably, and returned to civilian life in southern California.
He met Isabelle Jeannette Smith, of Tracy, Minnesota, who had also recently mustered out of military service, from the Army nursing corps. They were married in 1950, and by 1951 had started their family with the birth of their first son Mark. They purchased their longtime home in Northridge, California, about the same time.
Bill was a Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, for 33 years... working in the greater San Fernando Valley. He retired in the 1980’s.
Bill pursued a variety of hobbies and interests. As a younger man, he enjoyed surf fishing. He frequently fished the shores of Ventura County, and enjoyed to company longtime friend and co-worker Willis Perry. He caught perch, sand sharks and rays, and once even caught a sizable lobster that grabbed onto his bait and wouldn’t let go. He was involved for several years in the keeping of racing pigeons. He took many family camping trips, to places like Mineral King and Big Sur. He had a lifelong interest in health and fitness. In his later years, as a widower, the local senior center became the focus of his social life. He developed friendships, had meals, took classes, and enjoyed day trips to a variety of locales. He especially enjoyed overnight trips to casinos... sometimes closer to home, as well as to Las Vegas & Laughlin. He enjoyed flashing his impressive collection of casino player cards, which was an inch thick.
Bill was preceded in death by his spouse of 54 years, Isabelle McGrath... his sister, Mary Rae Julia McGrath Ryan... and two of his children, Donald Robert “Don” McGrath and Jane Ellen McGrath Holcombe.
Surviving children include Mark William McGrath (and Cyndee Zahorik) of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Paul Edward McGrath of Downey, CA, together with daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” McGrath, and son-in-law, Brian Holcombe. Grandchildren are William “Bill” McGrath (and wife Stacey), James “Jim” McGrath, Jonathan McGrath, Steven McGrath and John Holcombe. Great grandchildren are William “Billy” McGrath, Emily Jane McGrath and Rocket McGrath.
Bill was laid to rest on July 9, 2020, at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in the Veterans Garden. Many family members were present. The service was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey. A U.S. Navy honor guard rendered military honors, recognizing Bill’s service. His flag was presented to his daughter-in-law Betty McGrath.
All of Bill’s family extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Steve McGrath and Betty McGrath, for their many acts of service and kindness to Bill during his final months. They made it possible for him to continue living independently and well, for as long as possible.
Bill was born in Louisville, Kentucky, to parents Raymond Mathew McGrath and Kathryn Saint Herdt in 1922. He grew up close to the Churchill Downs Racetrack. His father and grandfather were saddle and harness makers.
Bill can truly be counted with America’s “Greatest Generation”, having served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, from February 1943 to March 1946. He was a Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, and served at the 214th Naval Air Station Port Lyautey, French Morocco, and aboard the USS PC 1178. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged honorably, and returned to civilian life in southern California.
He met Isabelle Jeannette Smith, of Tracy, Minnesota, who had also recently mustered out of military service, from the Army nursing corps. They were married in 1950, and by 1951 had started their family with the birth of their first son Mark. They purchased their longtime home in Northridge, California, about the same time.
Bill was a Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, for 33 years... working in the greater San Fernando Valley. He retired in the 1980’s.
Bill pursued a variety of hobbies and interests. As a younger man, he enjoyed surf fishing. He frequently fished the shores of Ventura County, and enjoyed to company longtime friend and co-worker Willis Perry. He caught perch, sand sharks and rays, and once even caught a sizable lobster that grabbed onto his bait and wouldn’t let go. He was involved for several years in the keeping of racing pigeons. He took many family camping trips, to places like Mineral King and Big Sur. He had a lifelong interest in health and fitness. In his later years, as a widower, the local senior center became the focus of his social life. He developed friendships, had meals, took classes, and enjoyed day trips to a variety of locales. He especially enjoyed overnight trips to casinos... sometimes closer to home, as well as to Las Vegas & Laughlin. He enjoyed flashing his impressive collection of casino player cards, which was an inch thick.
Bill was preceded in death by his spouse of 54 years, Isabelle McGrath... his sister, Mary Rae Julia McGrath Ryan... and two of his children, Donald Robert “Don” McGrath and Jane Ellen McGrath Holcombe.
Surviving children include Mark William McGrath (and Cyndee Zahorik) of Thousand Oaks, CA, and Paul Edward McGrath of Downey, CA, together with daughter-in-law, Elizabeth “Betty” McGrath, and son-in-law, Brian Holcombe. Grandchildren are William “Bill” McGrath (and wife Stacey), James “Jim” McGrath, Jonathan McGrath, Steven McGrath and John Holcombe. Great grandchildren are William “Billy” McGrath, Emily Jane McGrath and Rocket McGrath.
Bill was laid to rest on July 9, 2020, at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, in the Veterans Garden. Many family members were present. The service was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey. A U.S. Navy honor guard rendered military honors, recognizing Bill’s service. His flag was presented to his daughter-in-law Betty McGrath.
All of Bill’s family extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Steve McGrath and Betty McGrath, for their many acts of service and kindness to Bill during his final months. They made it possible for him to continue living independently and well, for as long as possible.
