William Bredfield

William F. "Bill" Bredfield, 71, passed away March 21, 2008 at St. Peter Medical Center in Olympia following a lengthy battle with diabetes. He was a former Long Beach resident who had until the time of his death been residing in Nemah. The son of Fred and Silvia (Reinhardt) Bredfield, he was born March 29, 1936 on the family dairy farm near Little Falls, Minnesota. In 1941 he and his family moved to Longview, Washington where he attended grammar and high school. Following high school he served in the United States Army for three years, half of which was on the Pacific island of Guam. His military duty complete he worked at various occupations, including as a graphic artist for Time Oil Co. in Portland. He was working as a talented sign painter in Longview when he met Sandra Whitaker who was at the time living in Seaview. They married in 1963 and Bill and Sandy settled on the Long Beach Peninsula. On May 20, 1965 together they opened Chico's Pizza Parlor in Seaview which quickly became the local "hot spot" and gathering place for years to come, for locals and visitors alike. Bill's wonderful sense of humor and wry wit permeated the business and all he touched. Chico's was always a place to find laughter and friends. Ever the entrepreneurs, in later years Bill, Sandra and son Kevin opened several successful other businesses including Chica's Mexican restaurant and The Stove Shop. After Kevin's marriage to Laurie the family opened Laurie's Homestead Restaurant. Bill was a kind and generous man, never turning away a stray, be they human or animal! He gave many people a helping hand and a start in life. Besides his profound love for his family and many friends, Bill had many talents and interests. His beautiful potbelly stove restorations could be scene many places around the Peninsula. He also loved to fish and watch the elk graze in his pasture at home in Nemah. He was also an artistic and skilled craftsman. He was a big man and to see him reduced to a "gentle giant" when he was holding one of his beloved pet birds brought smiles to many. He will be remembered wearing his bib overalls and heading to the beach with a pickup full of his dogs. Bill was a larger than life character, always a kid at heart and he will be missed. Besides his wife of 44 years, Sandra, he is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law Kevin and Laurie Bredfield, brother Robert Bredfield, sisters Donna Childers and Kathryn White, numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a great-grandchildren. A memorial service celebrating Bill's wonderful life will be held Saturday, April 5, 2008, 11:30 at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. Pastor Dean Mead will officiate and Long Beach Mayor Bob Andrews will deliver the eulogy. A reception and time of sharing follows at Chico's Pizza Parlor in Seaview. Arrangements are by Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, Long Beach. Share a memory and sign the guestbook at www.penttilaschapel.com.