Wilbur Jefferey Vlastos

Wil began his life journey as the adored baby brother of a large family in San Francisco, where he witnessed the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and was a member of the track team at Polytechnic High School. The city slicker moved to Petaluma and attended Petaluma High School, where he participated in track, football and served as Student Body President. He was a handsome devil and popular with the girls, as evidenced by the entries in his yearbooks, some accompanied by a lipstick kiss. One particular girl was not interested in him, thinking someone as good looking and popular as Wil certainly must be conceited. However, when young Will asked Beverley Mae Ronsheimer for a dance, she accepted and quickly learned she had misjudged him and found him to be humble, funny and kind.

Bev and Wil married in 1950 and raised three daughters, Nancy, Diane and Annette. Wil was good humored and fun loving and his nieces and nephews would often ask Aunt Bev if Uncle Willie could come out and play. He had a bright and inquisitive mind and enjoyed talking with his daughters about the big questions in life such as what is eternity and where did the universe come from. He pointed out constellations and planets in the night sky and roused us from our beds in the wee morning hours to observe a comet low on the horizon. He was creative and artistic, often illustrating school lunch bags with drawings of family pets or celestial objects. He was prone to breaking out in song at any moment and taught us that puns were the highest form of humor.

An all round Mr. Fix It, he repaired electronics and worked in feed mills keeping the machinery humming along, until he was given the opportunity to work as a machinist at Donal Machine Shop, a job that utilized his gifts of precision and attention to detail.

In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing and cheering on his beloved 49ers. He and Bev were also fabulous cooks.

Sadly, as he approached his later years, he developed Alzheimer’s Disease, as had most of his siblings. Bev became his loving and fiercely protective caregiver, determined to give her beloved husband the best life she could. Bev was hospitalized in 2014 and Wil went to live in a residential care home. When Wil was brought to the hospital for a visit, Bev was delighted to see how good he looked and how well he was cared for. When she passed away a short time later, Alzheimer’s was kind enough to remove Bev from Wil’s memory, sparing him from feeling the loss of his loving partner.

While Wil could no longer remember or recognize his loved ones and had limited communication skills, not all memories and words were lost. When Diane brought him some Hostess cupcakes, his eyes lit up and he exclaimed “I like that!” (Did I mention he also instilled a love of chocolate in all of his children?)

Wil was predeceased by his parents, George and Susan (Grantham) Vlastos, and all of his beloved siblings: Chris, George, Roger and Sally, and half siblings Ellen, Charlotte, Herald and Leanore Shugars. He leaves behind his daughters Nancy Vlastos, Diane Pelham and Annette (Michael) Davis, grandchildren Dennis (Kellie) Pelham, Gillian Pelham and Monisa (Paul) Sturm, great grandchildren Nathaniel and Ethan Pelham, Kyle McFarland, Tyler, Meagan, Nicole and Gabrielle Sturm and numerous and dearly loved nieces and nephews.

Heartful thanks to Arlin Gregorio and the caregivers at Burbank Manor, especially Norma and Randy, who not only cared for, but also cared about our dear father. There are not enough words to express our gratitude for the loving home and care they provided.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.