Bill Fleisig

Our world lost an extraordinary man on May 22, 2016. He passed from this world at Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Neff was by his side holding his hand and listening to his favorite music. Bill was always full of surprises. His parents, Phil and Dodie welcomed their son Frank into the world and lo and behold 6 minutes later the second twin arrived. After being Fleisig boy #2 for two days, Bill was named the other grandfather, William. He was proudly a 5th generation Californian. He spent his younger days in Tracy. He and his family were involved in agriculture, horses, Masonry, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was a Past Master Counselor in Mt. Oso chapter of DeMeloy. He graduated from Tracy High as Salutatorian and headed for UC Davis. Lucky for Neff. On their very first date he told her he was going to marry her, and being a man of his world he did just that. Although he majored on Rhetoric at Davis, a pesky foreign language requirement meant that Bill ultimately graduated from CSU Stanislaus in Speech. After college, he went to work for Bank of America, as a lending officer. Fate brought him to Turlock as Assistant Manager, and then to the Corporate Group in Merced handling large agriculture loans. Bill and Neff really felt Turlock had become home. After Bill left the bank he became CFO of Monte Christo Packing Company. This evolved into a number of different partnerships where Bill served as Managing Partner. These included Gun Club Ranch and Sheller (in Shafter), Oak Flat Ranch (cherries and Merlot grapes). The last one formed was Silver Creek Ranch, which Bill proposed around a table in the Turlock Golf and Country club bar. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and golfer. In the early years of their marriage, Bill and Neff back-packed through the Sierras, where his ashes will be scattered. He enjoyed hunting ducks with his dad and brother at the Tracy Duck Club near Gustine. He was a deer hunter, going to Wyoming and Colorado with lifelong friend Terry Pederson and later with Ron Gonsalves. Bill loved Neff’s Venison Marsala. Bill was a 35 year member of Turlock Golf and Country Club. Making the club better for everyone was always Bill’s passion. He served as President twice, in 1995 and 2014. He was also chaired the Men’s Invitational Committee for many years. But on the less serious side, he played with a group of men known as “The Wild Bunch”. This year he was honored at the Sierra Vista Children’s tournament for making it what it is today and he and Neff also contributed and played in the Letters to Santa and Wounded Warriors tournaments. Bill was also a Master Mason, a member of Turlock Lodge. Bill and Neff wanted to travel. They went fishing in Alaska, golfing in Canada and especially loved their anniversary golf trips to Coeur d’ Alene. They had just discovered Bandon OR, the site of their last vacation, following Bill’s open heart surgery, and before prostate cancer no longer allowed him to travel. He is survived by Neff, his wife and true life-partner of almost 50 years. Brother Frank (Anne) of Texas. Also nephews Jim (Dawn), Craig (Marce), Kirk (Annette) and niece Sarah (Jason). He and Neff were parents of none. They were parents of thousands and their great joy was to be an important and contributing part of our family. Bill was hard-working, straight-forward and smart. He treated people with kindness and dignity. If you dealt with Bill, you knew he would treat you fairly, even though he might disagree with you. Thank you to the many friends who stepped up to help during this time-we couldn’t have done it without you. Special thanks to Dr. Lit Fung, his PA Jeff Brawsahaw, Dr. James Robinson, and nurse Jennifer, Dr. David Shiba, Dr. Ian Faucionier, and Dr. Meena Pannu Sri. Thank you for your professionalism and caring. As per Bill’s wishes, there will be no formal service. Instead he wanted all his friends to gather for a celebration to take place at Turlock Country Club, 10532 Golf Link Road, Turlock, on June 4 at 4 pm. Please wear a colorful shirt in Bill’s honor. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Community Hospice Foundation, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356-9259. AMLAN

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Bill Fleisig

September 2, 1947 - May 22, 2016