William O. McGeehon

William O. (Bill) McGeehon died May 7, 2008, in Walnut Creek, Calif. He was 86.

He was born and raised in Walnut Creek. He was a graduate of Mt. Diablo High school, class of 1939, and studied two years at U.C. Davis School of Agriculture. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles but enlisted in the United States Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

As a young man, Bill raised cattle on his grandparents’ homestead in the hills south of Livermore above what is now Del Valle Reservoir. he also entered rodeos, specializing in calf roping. For decades after, he helped local ranchers at branding time.

Bill and his brother Jim started McGeehon Bros. Excavating and Paving Company after Bill’s honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946. They spent the next 40 years grading and paving in Contra Costa County.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Katherine (Kay); daughter Bobbie and son-in-law Claire Telles, formerly of Willows and now living in Farmington, granddaughter Heather and husband Scott Kooreman of Tracy; granddaughter Dawn Telles of Escalon, great-grandchildren Chelsey and Tyler Kooreman; cousins, nephews, nieces and caregiver Floren Mariano. He also had three step-grandchildren – James and Matt Telles, Lynne Gibboney and five step-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at the Contra Costa Country Farm Bureau building, 5554 Clayton Road, Concord, on June 8, beginning at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to: Hope Hospice 6500 Dublin Blvd. Suite 100, Dublin, CA 94568.