William M. Upchurch

William Monroe Upchurch Jr., son of Donna Williams and Willie Upchurch, was born in Atlanta, Texas, on November 4, 1958, and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana. He joined the Air Force after graduating from West Monroe high school in 1976. Bill met the love of his life, Gloria, in 1979 at Loring Air Force Base, and they got married on October 5, 1980. Their only child Michael was born on November 22, 1983.

From 1989 to 1991, Bill moved his family to Germany and was stationed at Zweibrücken Air Force Base. Bill moved his family to Atwater, California, in 1991 until Castle Air Force Base closed in 1995. Bill then moved his family to Spokane, Washington, where he was based at Fairchild Air Force Base until his retirement in 1996. Bill then moved his family back to Atwater, California, where he worked as a security guard and maintenance for Scholle. Then he worked as maintenance at International Paper in Gilroy, California.

He was a hard-working man who loved his family and sacrificed everything to keep his family going strong. He enjoyed fishing and spending quality time with his loved ones, especially his granddaughter, Kylie (who called him Boompa). He was taken from us far too soon on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at the age of 64, during his work shift at International Paper.

He is survived by his two brothers, James Berry and Terry Berry, and his sister Tammy Lewis. Bill leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Gloria Keirstead Upchurch, his son Michael Upchurch, daughter-in-law Angela Upchurch, his granddaughter Kylie Upchurch, and a host of extended family members and friends.

Bill was a man of true ethics, strength, and love. He will be deeply missed by all who had the great privilege to know him.

(Service date and time to be determined at a later date)

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