William Ewald Oesterreich

October 26, 1932 – December 11, 2025

Born to Clarence W Oesterreich and Marie Welsh on October 26, 1932 at Santa Monica Rose Maternity Hospital. Clarence and Marie had moved to California from Chaska, Minnesota.

William grew up in Gardena California, and graduated from George Washington High School in 1950.

William joined the US Armed Services, graduating from Fort Ord, 63rd Regiment, 6th Infantry, in May of 1953, and served in the Korean war from 1953 to 1955. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, the United Nations Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in February of 1961.

At age 24, William married Anita Joan Easton, age 26, on May 4, 1957, at Saint Jerome's Catholic Church in Los Angeles. The two were married for 57 years, until Anita's death on December 4, 2014.

Childhood Stories

William was the 'first born', the older brother to young Tom, and Tom often got all the 'seconds' (clothes, bicycles, etc.)

He started working at age 14.

He often played baseball in a field with no fence, just a bench on the line and one of his friends got hit by a foul ball and had four teeth knocked out.

Some days, he would pass the time with friends in a brickyard, throwing rocks and bricks at each other.

Other days he would leave home in the morning with a peanut butter sandwich in his pocket, and didn't come home until dinner.

He was only three badges short of becoming an Eagle Scout, so he could work to buy a car before he was 16.

Work and Family Life

William was a realtor for most of his working career, and his last job was being a crossing guard for 10 years with the City of Irvine.

Being a realtor gave William the best opportunity to do what he did best:

Be A Family Man.

He was a full supporter of all of his children's youth activities.

He was always up for learning a new game, though he wasn't tech savvy in the least.

He liked to water ski and to RV with his family, whether it be lengthy cross country summer vacations with his children in the Aljo trailer, or shorter camping trips with his grandchildren in the Lazy Daze camper. He always had a Thomas guide in the car, and always mapped out the route ahead of time too.

Pool and playtime with his grandchildren, who loved him dearly, was a special time for him.

He was a jokester, loved his whiskey as a true Irishman should, was given to the 'gift of gab', and could strike up a conversation and continue it with just about anyone he met.

He had a great memory and was a great storyteller.

He was a simple man with a regular routine, didn't like to cook at all, but loved a good fish and chips, and loved his wife's meatloaf.

He was active in his church.

Character and Quotes

William was generous with his time and money.

William was kind, considerate, nurturing, compassionate, and non-judgmental.

Some of the things you'd often hear him say to his family:

"Bye for now" (this was after every phone call and every text)

"Never hurts to ask"

"We have bigger fish to fry"

"Everything will be OK… It will all work out"

"Everyone stubs their toes sometimes… We're not perfect"

"There are better days ahead"

Conclusion

William acquired many nicknames throughout his life:

He was known as Bill or Mr. O by friends; He was affectionately known as Willie by his wife; He was known as Dad/Daddy by his children; and finally known as Poppie by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His life lives on in his four children, eight grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

William made himself a friend to everyone.