Tributes

William Hugh Lupo of Fresno, California, passed away July 4, 2023, just a month shy of his 98th birthday. He is survived by his wife of almost 75 years, Audrey Jean Lupo (nee Pickwell), his sons, Curtis Lupo and Roger Lupo, his daughters, Julia Hoffman and Rebecca Bettis, his grandchildren, Tania Bettis and Colin Bettis, and his great-grandchildren, Lily Bettis-Evans, Maya Bettis-Evans, William Bettis, and Benjamin Bettis. William was born in Wesson, Mississippi, August 7, 1925, one of 12 children born to Otha Draton Lupo and Julia McManus Lupo. He grew up in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where he attended school until he was drafted into the U.S. Navy during WWII. He served in the Pacific theater of operation during the war as a radio operator. Before shipping out, he attended a USO dance in San Jose, CA, where he met his sweetheart, Audrey. They were married July 25, 1948, in the San Jose Methodist Church and moved to San Luis Obispo, CA, so he could finish his college degree in dairy husbandry at Cal Poly. William managed several dairies over the years both in California and Hawaii before becoming a classifier for the National Holstein Association which allowed him to travel around the United States and South America to help dairymen improve their herds. Following his work with the National Holstein Association, he started his own dairy consulting business aimed at helping the dairymen of California and Nevada. He was active in the Farm Bureau and helped with 4-H when his children were members. William and his wife were active members of Grace United Methodist Church in Fresno, California, for many years. William served many roles in his church and could be counted on to pitch in with repairs at the church and parsonage. In retirement, both William and Audrey enjoyed backpacking and got involved with the Elderhostel at Blayney Meadows in the High Sierra where William helped with building cabins and barbecuing. His hobbies included fishing, backpacking, square dancing, round dancing, gardening, reading, cooking, needlepoint, and painting. One of his needlepoint cows was auctioned off for over $700 to raise money for youth scholarships. He was very proud of that. His paintings hang on the walls of his home, as well as the homes of family and friends. We will always have a bit of Bill with us.

Tributes

William Hugh Lupo

August 7, 1925 - July 4, 2023