William (Bill) Frederick Snedden

Friday, January 21, 2022

William (Bill) Frederick Snedden was born on March 20, 1938, to Charles Garrett Snedden and Margret Evelyn Shaw/Snedden of Santa Monica Calif. Bill was a middle child of nine kids. Siblings included three brothers, Chuck Snedden, Dick Snedden, and DL Martin; five sisters, Beverly Nava, Joann price, Marjorie Szigety, Patricia Stephens, and Margret Retzloff. The family grew up and went to school in Concord, Calif. Bill graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in 1955.

At the age of 17, Bill signed up for the Navy, even though he had to lie about his age. He convinced his mother to sign the papers to enlist. While in the Navy, Bill married his high school sweetheart Brenda Hightower, they had five children. Bill reenlisted three additional times and did a total of 18 years. Bill earned many awards, Letters of acknowledgment and numerous medals.

Once Bill retired from the Navy, he went to work for Concord California Police Department. In his time at the police department, he held several different positions. One of his fondest positions was in automobile ticketing and Towing. While in that position he trained several police Cadets which were nicknamed the “Sneddet’s." In the entirety of Williams’s whole life he always held two or three jobs at a time. William also dedicated several years to Redding petroleum gas station. He would work at the gas station after hours of the police department and on weekends. He was always trustworthy with the bank drops and sharp on book keeping. Bill never called in sick he always worked holidays so others could have it off.

William had several hobbies and always belonged to various clubs. One of Williams’s hobbies was collecting! He collected many things over the years, but most of all he collected aluminum cans, Baseball cards, beanie babies and coins. Later in life he donated majority of his collections to different organizations that always had to do with children. Bill belonged to many clubs. It started with the Eagle Scouts as a boy, then on to anything that was related to his veteran involvement. One was near and dear to his heart, he was a proud member of the Contra Costa Corvette club. The club had monthly meetings and also races on the tracks. One weekend after a Corvette event, Bill stopped and had a drink and a bar and locked eyes with Leatrice Kay and immediately fell in love. From that weekend on Bill spent the rest of his life adding Kay and her three Daughters into his life. He loved and supported her kids through thick and thin until his last breath.

Bill retired from Concord Police department in 2000 and proceeded to move to Missouri with Kay and their granddaughter Monique. Bill still didn’t take retirement seriously. He got a job at Ricketts South Side Plaza gas station. Many remember him as the worker who was robbed at gun point and kidnapped. Even after the whole ordeal Bill went to work at Ricketts the next day. Along with that, Bill cut and split wood and still kept collecting cans. His can collecting was more than recycling. He removed the pop tabs and turned them into the Ronald McDonald house that helped support families with sick children. Bill was in the paper several times, he had turned in over 3 million pop tabs. Bill helped everyone he ever came into contact with, and so many he never met. He had a heart of gold and eyes as blue as the sky! You never talked to Bill without him always telling you a joke. He had a million dollar smile and a contagious laugh that will be missed!

In 2015, Bill was diagnosed with the early onset of Dementia. Faithfully Kay stood by Bill's side through the ugly disease. Even though the disease had taken his memories and his ability to form sentences Bill never forgot who Kay was. If she left the house, he would wander the house looking for her. Kay was his peace in the new world of strangers. Bill and Kay had an undeniable love. No matter what life threw at them they held strong, never wavering, (known to never lose strength or determination).

On Jan. 9, 2022, at 11:30 p.m., surrounded by loved ones, Bill took his last breath and closed his famous baby blue eyes. Family and friends can rest assured they will see Bill again. He knew who God was and partook in communion as early as a week before his passing.

Bill was preceded in death by both parents; his brothers, Charles Snedden, Dick Snedden, Paul Szigety; son, Troy & Cathy Snedden; grandson, Mickia Dauvl; granddaughter, Lindsey Snedden. Bill leaves behind his soulmate and wife, Leatrice Kay Snedden; his son, Michale & Karen Snedden; daughters, Cheryl & Bob Larson, Brenda and Gill Ramirez, Susan Martin, Crystal & Monique Campos, Jennifer Stark, MarryEllen & John Kirbey. Leaving generations behind includes 24 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

William Fredrick Snedden’s service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church E.L.C.A. in Nevada, Mo., on Jan. 28, at 10:30 a.m. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Fort Scott National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 5:30 p.m. leading after the final service. All are welcome to join friends and family for dinner and reminiscences on Bill’s life.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.