Obituary of Bill Medina

Theodore “Bill” Medina passed away at San Jose Regional Hospital on Wednesday June 7th at the age of 77. He was a dedicated family man and a true friend to many.

Born May 19, 1940 in Hollister at the former Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street, Bill graduated from Hollister High School in 1958. Soon after, he entered the U.S. Navy and served his country in the Armed Forces until 1962. During his time in the military, he became a champion boxer.
Bill was a millwright and could repair any mechanical object that he wanted to fix. He was one of the best welders in the county. He worked for many years at San Jose's Almaden Vineyards where he worked on maintenance projects as well as built many things for the company. He worked for Sunseeds and Hollister Cannery Company in Hollister. While the family lived in Spreckels, he volunteered on the Spreckels’ fire department. He had a mind for engineering solutions to projects as well as improving equipment.

The first eight years of marriage, Bill took the family to Sacrament, CA, Boise, ID, back to Sacramento, and Spreckels, CA. Finally moved the family back home to Hollister; to Viv’s delight. Bill loved to spend time in the outdoors hunting, fishing, and duck hunting. He spent many hours enjoying time in the hills around Hollister on ranches, often hunting for deer and wild boar. He spent many happy days with buddies hunting throughout the Western states including Colorado, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming on trips where he ALWAYS would bag his kill. Bill was legendary in his hunting and shooting abilities; 1 shot was all that was ever needed. He was also an outstanding gunsmith, often helping his friends with weapons adjustments and repairs.

Bill loved to laugh and tell jokes and funny stories with his friends and family. He was the life of the party and enjoyed playing games such as pedro, pinochle and cribbage. He also had a passion for making jerky; many of his friends stated that it was the best jerky. Another favorite activity of Bill's was buying pre 1976 Willis Jeeps, having them towed back to his home and spending six months to a year fixing them up and painting them so that they were in once again in pristine condition.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Vivian Medina, and children Jacqueline Medina of Hollister, and Jonathan Medina of Ventura, and Jeffery Medina of Thousand Oaks. He is also survived by his sister Paz Medina of Hawaii, and in-laws Sami LaRocca of Woodland, CA, John Brisbine of Chico, CA, and Vonnie Ryan of Radcliff, KY.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Bill to Sacred Heart Church or Fishes and Loaves program to feed local people at 680 College St, Hollister, CA 95023. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.