COLONEL WILLIAM E. GLEASON, USAF (RET)
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce William "Bill" Edwin Gleason passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2017, at the age of 85, at his residence, Sunrise of Fresno. William was born on September 2, 1931, to in Oakland, CA. He grew up in the Oakland Hills, CA area, attended Oakland High School and upon graduation attended and graduated from the University of Pacific in 1956, in Stockton, CA. William married Dorothy Parsons in Clarksburg, CA in 1955.

William dedicated many years of his life serving his country in the United States Air Force and the California Air National Guard. He flew every fighter jet from the F-86 to the F-106 while serving as the Maintenance Group Commander of the 144th Fighter Wing. In 1980, William moved to Colorado Springs and became the liaison officer between the Air Force and the Air National Guard. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and had his tour extended twice due to the expertise exhibited in his position.

He was known for his wonderful sense of humor, wry smile, the glint in his eye and his undeniable faith that good will always win out over bad. William was always current on world affairs, extremely well read and rarely without an opinion. He was a man of actual "true grit".

William has spent the last five years under the loving care of Sunrise of Fresno. The attention, love and respect he received from the men and women of Sunrise was nothing short of extraordinary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. A. Lawrence Gleason, and Florence Gleason; and his brother, Frank Bradford Gleason. William is survived by his loving family which includes his sister, Margret Shore and her husband Nathen; his sister-in-law, Gretchen Gleason; his children, Bradford Ewing Gleason, Michael Braley Gleason and his wife Erin Rose Gleason; and William's grandchildren, William Bradford Gleason, Benjamin Lawrence Gleason, and Carolyn Parsons Gleason.

A Memorial Service will be held at Farewell Funeral Services on Friday, April 7, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at San Joaquin Country Club. Remembrances may be made to the Fresno Rescue Mission, 310 'G' Street, Fresno, CA 93706; or Valley Childrens Hospital, 9300 Valley Childrens Place, Madera, CA 93638. Arrangements made by Farwell Funeral Services, 660 W. Locust Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 559-440-0484.