euskalkultura.eus

07/10/2024 - Ontario, California, EEUU

(Publicado en: San Bernardino Sun del 25 al 27 de octubre de 2024)

William Leonard Esquerre, also known as Bill Esquerre - devoted husband, son, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend - passed away on Oct. 7, 2024 in Ontario, California, after a hard-fought nineteen-year battle with five different types of cancer. He was 69 years old and a former resident of Chino Hills for over 40 years.

Bill was born on July 22, 1955 to Robert (Bob) and Catherine Esquerre in La Puente, California, and grew up with his older siblings, Cheryl and Robert. The Esquerre family owned and operated the French American Bakery in La Puente and employed many people- family and friends. Bill started working for the family bakery at a very young age. He never filled out a job application in his lifetime as he navigated through many acquisitions and mergers and was medically retired from Bimbo Bakeries at age 52 after working over 35 years in the bread business.

Bill was also very proud of his family. He married Deborah Alpine in 1983 and she came to the relationship with a little boy, William (Billy) Gray. Bill and Debbie had 2 more sons, Robert (Robby) and Brian. Bill loved and raised all 3 of the boys as his own. Rumer has it that Billy could read a Racing Form at the age of 4. It turns out that Bill and Billy were frequently seen at the Santa Anita Racetrack on Wednesdays.

Bill met his wife, Kim, in 1996, and they married in 1999 in Laughlin, Nevada. He became a stepfather to Kim’s daughter, Leah. Leah married Michael Klein and Bill had an opportunity to be a grandpa to Allyson and Zachariah.

Bill was an avid fan of ALL sports. He even liked to watch curling during the Olympics. He also loved coaching his sons in Little League and Pop Warner Football. Bill was extremely happy golfing with friends and playing with the Men’s Senior Skins Club at Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills. He was a die-hard Angel fan and held season tickets for 20 years. And Bill faithfully played in a Fantasy Football League for 40 years. The last 4 years, Bill had his “seasonal job” at the Chino Hills Pizza Company, during Football season, planning and setting up the televisions for Sunday football.

Bill was extremely proud of his French Basque heritage and enjoyed attending Basque picnics and functions. He loved spending the summers with friends at the river on watercrafts and boats. He liked playing trivia, attending concerts, beer, fine food, and hanging out with friends and family. He also loved to travel, especially on cruises. Among the destinations he cruised to are Mexico, Hawaii, New England, Alaska, Caribbean, Tahiti (twice), Scandinavia, England and British Isles, and the Mediterranean.

Bill had been an inspiration to many in the way that he battled his cancers and all of the other health issues he faced over the years. After he had open heart surgery, he was back golfing 3 weeks later. He survived Covid 3 times and it did do some damage to his lungs that required his use of oxygen full time. He was a fighter and a good sport until the end.

William is survived by his wife, Kim, children, Robert (Robby), Brian, and Leah, mother, Cathy, grandchildren, Allyson and Zachariah, and brother Robert. He was predeceased by his father, Robert, son, William Gray, and sister, Cheryl Gough.

Click here to Send Flowers to the family of William Leonard.

Goian Bego (GB) - May Rest in Peace