William (Bill) Settle Portola Valley, California 1922-2010. Bill passed away 01/29/2010. He was born in Long Beach, California.
He served in the US Army Armored Forces in Europe, 1942-1946. He was drafted in 1941 and became a member of the 1st Infantry Division VI Corps which made the North Africa Landing, fighting through North Africa, sent to England for the D-Day invasion, then made the Normandy Invasion where he was injured and sent back to England for R&R. He was reassigned as a Medic with the Third Army (General George Patton) and fought through the end of the war with them. This included the famous run to save the boys and General McAuliff at Bastogne and the relief of US Forces at the Battle of the Bulge. When discharged he was a PFC.
He married Eleanor, his wife of 63 years, and moved to Palo Alto, CA in 1946, where he finished his BS degree from Stanford University also in 1946. He completed his MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 1956.
He had a long career with Southern Pacific Transportation Company from 1947 to 1982. He began as a ticket agent and worked his way up to a special assistant in the executive department in San Francisco.
Bill enjoyed memberships in the Stanford University Alumni Association, Stanford Business School, Theta Xi Fraternity, Palo Alto Masonic Lodge F & AM # 346, Scottish Rite-San Jose Bodies, SIRS-Branch 51 Palo Alto, Menlo Country Club and Barbershop Peninsulaires. He served as director of Southern Pacific Retired Executives Club, San Jose Society of Model Engineers, Santa Fe Modelers Association and Union Pacific Historical Society. Bill was involved in many committees and activities with The Sequoias Retirement Community in Portola Valley, his last residence.
He is survived by his wife Eleanor, daughter Lynne Gums (husband Jerry), son Norman Settle (wife Nancy), grandson Tom Hamilton (wife Meghan) and great grandchildren Jack and Emma Hamilton, granddaughter Katie Shaffer (husband Ethan). He is preceded in death by his parents Dr. and Mrs. Francis B. Settle of Long Beach, CA. The family has chosen not to have a public service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to any charity of your choice.