William J. Monian

William J. Monian, a native of Santa Barbara and recent resident of Casselberry Florida, passed away suddenly but peacefully on October 7, 2014 at the age of 77.

Bill Monian was born in Santa Barbara, California on May 14, 1937, the firstborn child of Willam F. Monian and Doris Monian (Castonguoy). He attended Santa Barbara High School, played on the football team, and worked at his parent's grocery store in downtown Santa Barbara. As a young man Bill took several courses on photography, which later culminated in his 1969 graduation from Santa Barbara's prestigious Brooke's Institute School of Photography.

After being introduced by a friend, Bill courted and then married Lucillie C. Silipo, a social worker who had recently moved to Santa Barbara from Trenton New Jersey. After their marriage on April 27, 1968 they had two children, Catherine L. Monian and Eric J. Monian. Bill remained faithfully married to Lucille for 25 years until Lucille's passing on June 21, 1989 following a battle with lymphoma.

During his marriage to Lucille, Bill was a devoted family man, a supportive husband, and took great joy in his children's activities and achievements. He was an excellent cook and took the time to pass along his skills to both his children.

Bill was self-employed and started several businesses from scratch, ranging from industrial photography, to tile setting and tool sharpening. Much effort went into mastering each trade, and he could often be found reading manuals to improve his skills and client services.

Bill's artistic skill and ability to work with his hands was the foundation upon which each of his businesses was built, and throughout his life he crafted shelving, cabinetry, and structures needed for both his businesses and his family. Most of this work was done was without any formal building plans, from memory, with an uncanny ability to build great things with few resources.

Bill enjoyed reading, watching, and learning as much as possible about world history, and had a special interest in U.S. history and World War II. Bill also had a green thumb, a love of animals, a remarkable ability to strike up a conversation with almost anyone, and was quick to crack a joke.

In 1990, Bill found new love and married Sheila Sawicki in September 1990. A few years after they were married Bill and Sheila left Santa Barbara and traveled widely with a truck and fifth wheel in tow. During this time they visited nearly all 50 United States, and also explored many international destinations including Canada, Italy, Wales, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Portugal, and Spain (their favorite destination). In between their travels Bill and Sheila resided in Arizona and Oregon, and then settled in Casselberry, Florida. They remained faithfully married for 24 years.

Bill is survived by his second wife Sheila Monian, his daughter Catherine L. Monian, his son Eric J. Monian, his sisters Barbara Ann Thorpe, Mary Jean Ramsey, and Dora Lee Monian, and his grandchildren Elizabeth C. Straus, Abigail C. Straus, Kate B. Monian, Zoe Y. Monian, and Delaney Lake.