William's Memorial Service
We attended a memorial service for Bill today. It was a very nice ceremony at the Los Gatos United Methodist Church. Rex and Wendy shared some memorable moments about their father, and Kayla and Ella even spoke of their memories about their grandfather. Bill will be missed but never forgotten.
This is the obituary notice as posted in the Mercury News:
William Fred Traber
William Fred Traber (Bill) Aged 76, passed away May 15, after a massive stroke. He was born in Denver, Colorado in 1928. He attended the University of Colorado on a scholarship, graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was a Naval Officer on the U.S.S. Toledo during the Korean War, meeting his future wife and lifelong partner, of 53 years, at the foot of Mt. Fujiyama, Japan in 1951.
Settling in San Jose (1953) he worked on Quality Control, at Economics Laboratory. Later working for IBM for 35 years, in The Research and Development Lab. He was given many awards for his contributions to the company and co-authored several patents. Bill was on the ski patrol, when at the University and enjoyed skiing all his life. He had a black belt in Judo and in Karate. He also practiced Tai Chi. He was an intelligent, hardworking, generous and kind man. A loving and devoted son, brother, husband and father, a playful and involved grandfather, thoughtful friend and neighbor.
He is survived by his 100 year old mother, Maude Parsons, his brother Ronald Traber, his wife Doris Traber, his children Wendy and Rex Traber, his daughter-in-law Susana Traber, his son-in-law Michael Mason, his granddaughters Kayla and Ella Traber.