PICKENS, William George July 8, 1921 - December 14, 2014
PICKENS, Frances Eleanor Biddle March 16, 1921 - May 19, 2014
Bill and Franci Pickens met in 1943, when he spotted her across hundreds of drafting tables in a football size field at Consolidated Aircraft, in San Diego. Thus began a love that lasted over 70 years. They were engaged on their first date, and married at the Chapel on Camp Pendleton on October 3, 1944, after Bill signed up for the Marines.
Bill was born in Berkeley to Jessie and Horace Pickens. He graduated from Oakland High, then worked to earn money for college: in a gold mine, drawing maps in the CCC, and in a cannery, finally entering UC Berkeley. During college he joined a survey crew on the Alcan Highway, in Alaska, then moved to San Diego to draft plane designs for the war effort.
Franci was born in San Diego to Frances and Earl Biddle. She graduated from Grossmont High, attended San Diego State College, studied marketing, and sang with the college choir. She left school to work at Marston's Department Store, then to Consolidated Aircraft where she met the love of her life.
After the war, Bill joined Franci in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was the assistant buyer at Hinkel's Department Store. Bill attended the University of New Mexico, and was in the second graduating class of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Returning to California with their baby, Bill went to work for Shell Oil Company, Wilmington. He retired after 32 years, as Manager for Fire and Safety. Franci worked in merchandising at the Broadway in Long Beach. Bill and Franci delighted in raising two daughters and a son. They lived in Long Beach for 35 years, in Carlsbad, and Roseville.
Franci entered eternal life on May 19, and Bill joined her on December 14. Now they are together for Christmas. They leave a family grateful for their love: Linda Pickens-Jones (Alan Jones) of Carmichael; Barbara Bailey (Kenneth) of Auburn; Bill Pickens (Karen) of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Mark (Nikki), Brian (Angela), Daniel, Emily, Shaun, Aaron; great-grandchildren Brayden, Madalyn, Garren and Kinzie.
