In Memoriam
Remembering past friends and members of the MSA's Los Angeles and Orange Area Chapter.
In Memory of William M. Lewis
March 31, 1928 – August 10, 2016
Early on August 10th, 88-year-old William M. Lewis (better known as ‘Uncle Bill’) departed from his earthly existence after a long battle with cancer. Mind you, that battle did not keep him from consulting for PMI or attending Past President’s Council meetings for the Los Angeles Orange Area chapter of the MSA until the very end. Bill, who had worked at Huntington Beach (for 18 years), along with the late Phil Studebaker, Marty Pruitt, and several other city and county superintendents, founded the Street Superintendents and Maintenance Association (now the MSA) in April 1962.
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He was later elected President (1969) and served on what was then called the ‘State Board.’ Bill worked for the City of Anaheim for an additional 17 years, retiring in April 1984 from the Public Sector. He then served another 25 years in the private sector (Payne Whitney and Petrochem Manufacturing Inc.), never losing his dedication to the Maintenance Superintendence Association. Even as a vendor, he felt it was his duty to help his clientele understand all facets of road maintenance, whether it profited him or not. Many who are superintendents now remember him as an instructor at Citrus College in the 1980s.
Bill was a primary figure in founding the Central Valley and San Diego chapters and assisted in the startup of several others, including the Inland Empire/Desert chapter.
The Los Angeles Orange Area chapter nominated him for the Peter Walsh Award in 2013.
On a personal note, he was a Scout Master for 25 years. He and his family loved their church, water-skiing on their boat, and camping in the National Parks. He lost his beloved wife, Gwyneth, last year and is survived by their three children; David, Darryl, and Sheri Lyn. He had grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He proudly announced that he had a great-grandson on the way at a recent breakfast meeting. Most importantly, he spent over 50 years of his life as one of the most dedicated members of our association.
Thank you, and Godspeed, Bill.
BILL LEWIS - SERVICES
Monday, August 22, 2016
Services for our friend Bill will be held at "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints," located at 22851 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo, on Monday, August 22nd at 10:30 a.m. with a luncheon immediately following the services.
Burial will follow the luncheon at "Fairhaven Memorial Park Mortuary"
in Santa Ana, CA.
Michelle Jolly is available to answer questions at (909) 660-2211.
Doug Linder - Pacific Products & Services, Inc
Douglas M. Linder passed away on July 6, 2016.
He was one of a kind, bigger than life, and a true gentleman. Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather,
Brother, Uncle, mentor, and friend. Doug had a kind soul that touched many lives. His integrity, generosity, and respect for everyone he met made an impression. Doug looked for the best in everyone. He was passionate about his business and treated every customer as if they were the only one. He had a great sense of humor and a laugh that would light up the room. His love for his family knew no bounds. It was an honor to know him.
Alex G. Casillas Jr. - City of Arcata, CA
Past President 1991
Alex passed away peacefully after a courageous fight with liver cancer on January 1, 2014, in San Francisco, CA. He was surrounded by his loving wife Lynn, son Christopher and daughter Melanie. He was born in Santa Monica, CA, in May of 1942, where he grew up as the oldest of three children. He worked for the City of Santa Monica, from where he retired. Alex moved his family to Humboldt County in 1993 for a better place to raise his two young children. He enjoyed spending time and traveling with his family. He coached baseball and basketball and was an official for local youth and high school football. He loved to watch all sports on TV, especially UCLA and 49ers football. He encouraged and mentored his children in everything they did. He is survived by his wife, Lynn of Arcata, son Christopher of Ohio, and daughter Melanie of Arcata. Also, his first wife, Jesse Casillas, and daughter Josie of Bell Gardens, CA, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces. He also leaves behind his sisters Martha (Paul) and Rosa of Santa Monica. He was preceded in death by his father and eldest son. He was extremely proud of all of his children and grandchildren. He was a wonderful and caring husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend with an extremely large heart.
Albert Gonzales - City of Fullerton, CA
Albert was a Street Maintenance Supervisor when he retired in 2002 after more than thirty years with Fullerton. When you spoke with him, he made it very clear that his life centered on his family and that he enjoyed life with his beloved wife, Magdalena, or just Maggie, as she is better known. Albert and Maggie were happily married for 42 years and were blessed with a daughter Lydia and two sons, Albert and Jamie. Albert felt that their little flock was completed with the birth of their five loving granddaughters. Albert was an avid fisherman and loved boating.
Albert passed away on April 18, 2013. Those of us who were blessed to have known Albert well will forever have fond memories of this wonderful man. May Albert rest in God's peace.
Gary Givens - Roadline Products Inc., USA
Gary was born and grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas, and moved to California in the mid-1960s. He started working in the sign and road markings industry in the late 1960s with Hawkins Sign Company and eventually made a move to Bauer’s Paint Company. In 1987 he proudly started his own business, Roadline Products, Inc., USA.
Gary and Patricia were married for 52 years and had three children, Brenda, Ann, and Scott. Gary and Patricia were blessed with six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Gary’s entire life was about family and his business Roadline Products. When he did get away, he loved the water, owned a few boats, and did some family vacations at the lake and river.
Gary was among the founding members of the Maintenance Superintendents Association, and from our Chapter's early beginnings, he was a strong and enthusiastic supporter.
Gary passed away on June 13, 2013, and left us with many fond memories. God bless you, Gary, and rest in peace.
Clayton Trejo - San Diego Rotary Broom Company
Clayton Trejo, age 80, loving husband to Cecilia Trejo and a wonderful father to Anthony Trejo and Marcella Herrera, passed away on August 16, 2023. He was born in Pomona, CA, in 1943 and was the oldest of 8 children. Clayton graduated from Pomona Catholic in 1961 and was a devoted supporter of the school throughout his life. In 1965, he met his wife, Cecilia (Cee Cee), at a dance, and soon after were married. During the early years of their marriage, Clayton began working at Kaiser Steel in Fontana, CA, until he transitioned into his career as a sales representative for San Diego Rotary Broom, Co. He was responsible for the sales of brushes for street sweepers to the various cities throughout California. Clayton excelled in this position and soon became a member of the Maintenance Superintendents Association (MSA), establishing a scholarship fund dedicated to the continued education of public workers in the maintenance field.
As an active parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Upland, CA, Clayton and Cee Cee became involved in various marriage programs. In 1978, Clayton and Cee Cee attended the Marriage Encounter weekend, where a love of shared community was established. Throughout the years, the couple was instrumental in bringing the Marriage Enrichment Program to their parish. And were honored within the past month for their contribution of over 30 years to this important program. It was Clayton’s desire to share his own experiences with not only his marriage but his personal challenges with family that made him an irreplaceable part of the Marriage program.
As his career as a sales representative began to progress, a love of golf was nurtured. Clayton loved the game of golf, which he shared with his son. Many business contacts were established on the greens, and numerous friends were made. Clayton and Cee Cee loved to travel, and playing golf was always a top priority wherever they went. When he could no longer play, he continued to watch the sport on television as well as his beloved UCLA Bruins. It didn’t matter what sport UCLA was participating in; Clayton was a fan.
The foundation of any family is strengthened by the love of its members. Clayton’s love was strong and without limits. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lupe Trejo, his father, Clayton Sr., and his brother John Trejo. When he lost his father and brother, Clayton did not hesitate to take on the role of dedicated patriarch. His guidance and love provided a solid example to his four sisters, Ana, Maggie, Mary Louise, and Veronica, and two brothers, Raul and Ronald. He is survived by his beloved wife, his two children, daughter-in-law Clarissa Trejo, and son-in-law Frank Herrera. Clayton was so proud to be the grandfather of Erin Trejo, Marisa Herrera, Ava Herrera, Maya Herrera, Carlotta Trejo, and Clayton Trejo.
Clayton T. Trejo will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Death will not stop his presence from being felt by his loved ones who called him husband, Dad, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and compadre.
The funeral service will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic church on September 21, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow at the church. St. Joseph's Catholic Church is located at 877 N. Campus Avenue, Upland, CA 91786.