William O. McGeehon

William O. (Bill) McGeehon died May 7, 2008, in Walnut Creek, Calif., one month short of 87 years of age.

He was born and raised in Walnut Creek. He was a graduate of Mt. Diablo High school, class of 1939, and studied two years at U.C. Davis School of Agriculture. He played starting center on the university football team. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League, but enlisted in the United States Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

Bill served  the Construction Battalion (Seabees) and was part of the crew that dug the hole that held the "bomb" when it was attached to the belly of the "Enola Gay."

As a young man, Bill raised cattle on his grandparents' homestead in the hills south of Livermore above what is now Del Valle Reservoir. he also entered rodeos, specializing in calf roping. For decades after, he helped local ranchers at branding time.

Bill and his brother Jim started McGeehon Bros. Excavating and Paving Company after Bill's honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946. They spent the next 40 years grading and paving in Contra Costa County.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Katherine (Kay); daughter Bobbie and son-in-law Claire Telles, formerly of Willows and now living in Farmington, granddaughter Heather and husband Scott Kooreman of Tracy; granddaughter Dawn Telles of Escalon, great-grandchildren Chelsey and Tyler Kooreman; cousins, nephews, nieces and care-giver floren Mariano. He also had three step-grandchildren - James and Matt Telles, Lynne Gibboney and five step-great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Contra Costa Country Farm Bureau building, 5554 Clayton Road, Concord, on June 8, beginning at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: Hope Hospice 6500 Dublin Blvd. Suite 100, Dublin, CA 94568; California Cattleman's Livestock Memorial Research Fund 1221 H Street, Sacramento, Ca, 95814 or a charity of choice.