William Salvadore "Bill" Festa, 80, died July 7, 2014. He was born Aug. 27, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts to Carmella Palermo-Festa and Antonio Festa, the youngest of five children. He was a resident of Calimesa.
Bill learned the value of work very early in his life. At 6, he would deliver oil to homes on cold winter mornings to help support his family. Bill shined shoes at 9, worked on the docks at the age of 13 and by the age of 14 joined his brother in Kentucky to work on a race track; all the while sending his earnings home to his family. When the Korean War broke out, Bill and his brother decided to join the Navy.
Bill was honorably discharged in 1953 and his life took him down many paths. He attended and graduated from barber/hairstylist school in 1959. He owned and operated several hair salons through the years and also found his niche as a car dealer/salesman. Bill became a successful business owner and entrepreneur.
Bill had many talents, hobbies and passions. He played the saxophone, ran marathons, loved to dance and cook, built homes and was a major sports fan. Bill was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His passion for life, hard work and love of family is his legacy.
Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Chris, and their eight children: Desiree Francis (John), Dion Festa (Brandy), Jeff Grant, Daran Festa (Paula), April Scherick (Justin), Tony Festa and Steven Festa (Shawna); 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings and son Michael, who died at birth.
Funeral services were held July 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Calimesa. Interment followed at San Gorgonio Memorial Park in Banning.
Bill learned the value of work very early in his life. At 6, he would deliver oil to homes on cold winter mornings to help support his family. Bill shined shoes at 9, worked on the docks at the age of 13 and by the age of 14 joined his brother in Kentucky to work on a race track; all the while sending his earnings home to his family. When the Korean War broke out, Bill and his brother decided to join the Navy.
Bill was honorably discharged in 1953 and his life took him down many paths. He attended and graduated from barber/hairstylist school in 1959. He owned and operated several hair salons through the years and also found his niche as a car dealer/salesman. Bill became a successful business owner and entrepreneur.
Bill had many talents, hobbies and passions. He played the saxophone, ran marathons, loved to dance and cook, built homes and was a major sports fan. Bill was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His passion for life, hard work and love of family is his legacy.
Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Chris, and their eight children: Desiree Francis (John), Dion Festa (Brandy), Jeff Grant, Daran Festa (Paula), April Scherick (Justin), Tony Festa and Steven Festa (Shawna); 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings and son Michael, who died at birth.
Funeral services were held July 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Calimesa. Interment followed at San Gorgonio Memorial Park in Banning.
William Salvadore "Bill" Festa, 80, died July 7, 2014. He was born Aug. 27, 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts to Carmella Palermo-Festa and Antonio Festa, the youngest of five children. He was a resident of Calimesa.
Bill learned the value of work very early in his life. At 6, he would deliver oil to homes on cold winter mornings to help support his family. Bill shined shoes at 9, worked on the docks at the age of 13 and by the age of 14 joined his brother in Kentucky to work on a race track; all the while sending his earnings home to his family. When the Korean War broke out, Bill and his brother decided to join the Navy.
Bill was honorably discharged in 1953 and his life took him down many paths. He attended and graduated from barber/hairstylist school in 1959. He owned and operated several hair salons through the years and also found his niche as a car dealer/salesman. Bill became a successful business owner and entrepreneur.
Bill had many talents, hobbies and passions. He played the saxophone, ran marathons, loved to dance and cook, built homes and was a major sports fan. Bill was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His passion for life, hard work and love of family is his legacy.
Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Chris, and their eight children: Desiree Francis (John), Dion Festa (Brandy), Jeff Grant, Daran Festa (Paula), April Scherick (Justin), Tony Festa and Steven Festa (Shawna); 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings and son Michael, who died at birth.
Funeral services were held July 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Calimesa. Interment followed at San Gorgonio Memorial Park in Banning.
Bill learned the value of work very early in his life. At 6, he would deliver oil to homes on cold winter mornings to help support his family. Bill shined shoes at 9, worked on the docks at the age of 13 and by the age of 14 joined his brother in Kentucky to work on a race track; all the while sending his earnings home to his family. When the Korean War broke out, Bill and his brother decided to join the Navy.
Bill was honorably discharged in 1953 and his life took him down many paths. He attended and graduated from barber/hairstylist school in 1959. He owned and operated several hair salons through the years and also found his niche as a car dealer/salesman. Bill became a successful business owner and entrepreneur.
Bill had many talents, hobbies and passions. He played the saxophone, ran marathons, loved to dance and cook, built homes and was a major sports fan. Bill was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His passion for life, hard work and love of family is his legacy.
Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Chris, and their eight children: Desiree Francis (John), Dion Festa (Brandy), Jeff Grant, Daran Festa (Paula), April Scherick (Justin), Tony Festa and Steven Festa (Shawna); 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, siblings and son Michael, who died at birth.
Funeral services were held July 11, at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in Calimesa. Interment followed at San Gorgonio Memorial Park in Banning.
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