William Beretta, Sr.

William Beretta, Sr. - A lifetime resident of Chileno Valley passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 21, 2012 in Petaluma, CA. Bill was born in Petaluma on September 22, 1923 to Cesare and Carolina Beretta. Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Liturgy on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at PARENT-SORENSEN MORTUARY & CREMATORY, 850 Keokuk Street, Petaluma, CA. A Visitation will be held at the mortuary on Sunday, July 29, 2012 from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a Vigil Service at 6:00 P.M. Interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Petaluma, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that donations can be made to your favorite charity. Growing up on a Chileno Valley dairy farm left lots of time for mischief with his brother and best friend, Johnnie, still finding time for all their necessary chores. Bill attended Laguna Joint Elementary School with his brother and sister and graduated from 8th grade in 1937. He went on to Petaluma High School leaving there in the 11th grade to help his family and work on the Tommy Armstrong dairy. Later he was drafted into the Army, serving in Japan and Okinawa, being discharged in 1947 with a rank of Staff Sergeant. After returning home, Bill and his brother Johnnie had a successful business bailing hay for many ranchers. He then met the love of his life while trying to figure out how to get a hay truck out of the ditch and about a year and a half later, they were married. Bill and Frances Elizabeth Terribilini were married on October 28, 1951 at St. Vincent de Paul church. Bill then began his truck driving career. He drove a milk truck first and then went on to drive a freight truck for Pacific Motor Trucking and Transcon. He was a member of Teamsters Local Union #624, retiring after 37 years. For Bill, retirement was short-lived, as he was always a hard worker. He began another job working on the Earl Dolcini ranch. At the age of 80, Bill truly retired and also decided to give up riding his motorcycle. He now devoted his time to his family and friends, tinkering in the garage, taking care of the cows and repairing everything before anyone knew it needed to be repaired. Although not a seasoned traveler, Bill did enjoy a trip to Europe in 1987 with his daughter Sharon. He visited the Swiss villages where his parents were born, Leontica and Carena, and was thrilled to use his first language of the Swiss-Italian dialect to communicate fluently with his relatives there. After exploring many other countries, they wrapped up their trip with an action-packed week in London, his highlight being the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. A man of many hobbies, Bill was an avid hunter and loved his yearly hunting trips, many out of state, with his brother, friends and some with his son Bill Jr. He also enjoyed playing King Pedro with his family.