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FENTON, Jr, WILLIAM G, "Bill." Bill was born on November 9, 1951, in Syracuse, N.Y. He passed away on November 2, 2024, in Clovis, CA. Bill was born in Syracuse to William and June Fenton and grew up in Liverpool, NY, surrounded by his large and loving family. Family was extremely important to Bill. Some of his fondest memories are of their family road trips across the country. These trips were cherished and recounted often, showing how much he loved his parents, brothers, and sisters. Whenever Bill had the chance, he would talk about some mischief or adventure the "Fenton Boys" would get into during their adolescence and early adulthood. Bill attended Paul Smith's College in the Adirondacks in upstate New York and earned an AA degree in Forestry in 1972. It was there that he met Bob Bartlett, who would become a surveyor, too, as well as Bill's best friend. Their friendship has endured over 50 years. In 1973, Bill and Patty met at Sky Chefs in Syracuse, NY, which at the time, had been a subsidiary of American Airlines. They were married on August 20, 1977, had a 2-day honeymoon in Aruba, and then drove west to San Diego with their two dogs to start their new life together - all in one busy week! Many of Patty's relatives had retired to San Diego at about the same time, and Bill grew especially close to Patty's parents and brother. Over time, as each passed, Bill was a rock for Patty, always organizing, assisting, and shouldering the burden, too. Over the next 7 years in San Diego, Bill worked an assortment of different jobs before he found his true calling in 1984 as a professional land surveyor. He was forever grateful to his late friend, Sam Barnes, for taking a chance on this fledgling surveyor. On the 5-year project which was to become Carmel Mountain Ranch (CMR) in San Diego, Bill met other surveyors who mentored him and who became lifelong friends. Bill was so happy and proud to have been a part of CMR since its inception. In 1986, Bill and Patty were blessed with a son, William III. Bill was thrilled to have a son and was an incredible father. From birth, through school, Cub Scouts, roller hockey, and the Marine Corps, Bill was bursting with pride and was always there for his son. Always supportive of whatever new hobby or interest his son started, Bill was in 110%. Despite working away from home or logging tons of over time, Bill was always there for his son. In 1991, Bill and Patty moved to Fresno so that Bill could begin his 26-year 'surveying odyssey' with the Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Obtaining his Professional License as a Land Surveyor was an achievement about which Bill was enormously proud. It was on his third attempt that Bill passed the exceptionally difficult LS exam and was licensed by the State of California in 1994. Over the years, Bill made many friends who became his supportive and caring "Caltrans Family." In 2017, he retired and was feted with an incredible loving send-off from his work family. In 2016, Bill and Patty had the opportunity of escorting two Korea War Veterans to Washington, DC as part of the Central Valley Honor Flight program, which was the honor of a lifetime for both of them. Bill was a skilled genealogist, having taken up that interest in 2007. His recall of dates, names, and connections dating back to the 1600s was just plain amazing. Along the way, he was always learning and sharing that knowledge with anyone who needed his help. He was a member of the Central New York Genealogical Society, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Fresno Historical Society, as well as the Fresno County Genealogical Society; most recently as a board member. In conjunction with the Fresno County Genealogical Society, and with his good friend, Gene Sibley, Bill worked many months on the restoration of the Veterans Cemetery here in Fresno. Bill's love for his Brittanys led him not only adopt rescues, but also to volunteer for American Brittany Rescue, starting in the mid-1990s. He was always taking 'legs' in the transportation of rescues to their foster or forever homes. He was happy to volunteer for other rescue groups whenever he could, too, most recently for English Springer Rescue. Bill was always eager to assist his neighbors as the need arose. He could be called on to fix what was broken, re-set sprinkler timers, or just offer advice based on his experience with different vendors. Of course, he was always ready, willing, and able to have a chat. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Patricia (Patty), and his only child, GySgt William G. Fenton, III, USMC (Bill). He is also survived by his younger siblings; brother Michael Fenton and his wife, Cathy; sister Marybeth Fenton and her partner, Tzion Simchy; and sister Theresa Gridley. Bill was pre-deceased by his mother, June Fenton; his father, William G. Fenton; his baby sister, Patty Anne; and his brothers Gary Fenton and Mark Fenton. Also passing before Bill were his grandparents Myron and Dorothy Beach and Frank and Gertrude Fenton. Bill leaves behind many friends and neighbors who will miss him. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses, aides, and doctors in the oncology department at Clovis Community Medical Center who provided exceptional, loving care to Bill. A rosary will be held at the Shrine of St. Therese on Wednesday, November 13th at 6:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day, Thursday, November 14th at 10:00 am. With internment to be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored by a donation made in Bill's memory to: American Brittany Rescue, https://americanbrittanyrescue.org/ or to Community Health System, Cancer Care, https://www.communitymedical.org/donate/ There will be an additional celebration of Bill's life in his hometown of Syracuse, NY.

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William George Fenton Jr.

November 9, 1951 - November 2, 2024