William Richard Hasvold, born in Chicago Aug. 28, 1931, passed away Sept. 21, 2008, from complications of pneumonia. This illness followed a two-year battle to recover from a catastrophic accident that left him paralyzed.

Bill moved to the South Bay area as a young man and lived in Southern California for the rest of his life. After graduating from Narbonne High School and earning an AS in chemical engineering, he embarked on a long and varied career path. He was an electrical contractor for many years, a restauranteur and a partner in a fitness club. He also dabbled in filmmaking, environmental cleanup efforts and ultra-light aircraft manufacturing. This partial résumé exemplifies his joy in learning and experiencing new things.

This joy extended to his personal life, as well. He was passionate about sports, coaching young men in basketball and baseball for many years in the Torrance-Lomita area. He was an avid golfer, tennis player, SCUBA diver and runner.

He moved to Murrieta in 1988 with his beloved wife, Carmen DeCastro, who he married in 1958. He and Carmen, who predeceased him in 1990, raised five children together: Teri Idle of Springville, UT; Rick Hasvold of Fallbrook; Chris Hasvold of Fallbrook; Cindy Porter of Santaquin, UT; and Leslie Hasvold Kopp of San Jose, CA. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bill was known to everyone he touched for his positive attitude, enthusiasm for life and very generous nature. Well into his 70s, he was traveling with his church missionary team, climbing ladders and swinging hammers with men half his age building for those less fortunate than him. Through a lifetime of actions, he taught us all a great deal about what is truly meaningful.

Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Cornerstone Community Church in Wildomar. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone’s Missions Ministry, 34570 Monte Vista Dr., Wildomar, CA 92595.