William "Bill" H. Melson

Passed away at his residence on December 31, 2013 at the age of 94 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Janet C. Melson and a son. He is survived by five of his children and their families: Charles and Janet Melson, Donald and Catherine Melson, Gabrielle (the late John) Kosterman, Elisa and John Cronin, and Kristen Melson. There are 13 grand and great-grandchildren. Son of Pauline E. and Charles F. Melson, Bill was born in San Francisco, but grew up in Tiburon, Haiti, Waukegan, and San Diego. He was a long time resident of Novato. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1938 through 1945, serving aboard the USS West Virginia, in Cuba, then in the South and Western Pacific in World War II. After the war he worked as a gunsmith, appliance representative, and sporting goods salesman. He was a career Marin County Water District employee and senior treatment plant operator. In retirement he spent his time traveling, collecting, and with his family. He was a 4-H club leader in Marin County, and an advocate of shooting sports as a hunter safety instructor, skeet and trap coach, and Olympic trials judge. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association and the California Rifle and Pistol Association. He was also an avid outdoorsman. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk St., Petaluma, CA. Private Interment: Golden Gate National Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Marin-Sonoma 4-H Shooting Sports, MC 4-H Program, UCCE, 1682 Novato Boulevard, Novato, California 94947.