Bill was born in Wichita Falls,Texas on October 22, 1926, to Hazel Barnes and William Edgar Cantrell Sr. With a bright, curious mind for electronics and building radios, Bill's aptitude for life was set. As a teenager, his family moved to San Diego from the Oklahoma panhandle to find work in the aircraft industry. After graduating from San Diego High School in 1944, he joined the Merchant Marines as a WWII Warrant Officer and oversaw shipboard radio communications and operations on various ships while traveling the world. At the end of WWII Bill returned to San Diego at age 21, married Fay and had five children: James, William, Caren, Thomas and Kenneth. Military duty called again and Bill enlisted in the Army National Guard as a member of the 14th Infantry Regiment serving in the Korean War where he installed communication and signals equipment, and was honorably discharged in 1952 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He then began working for Pacific Bell Telephone Company in San Diego where he eventually retired after 30+ years of service. During his time with Pac Bell, he accomplished many important projects and innovations, including designing and overseeing the testing procedures for the laying of underwater communications cables from the West Coast to Hawaii. After he retired from Pac Bell, he served as the Chief Engineer at San Diego Television Station KTTY 69. His marriage to his second wife, Betty Shea, brought him over 30 years of happiness before her passing in 2006. He gained two stepsons, John and David, and was a wonderful grandfather to their children. Passionate about body building, he taught many his isolated muscle control techniques over the years and even won the body building title of Mr. Southern California Over 40. A very active octogenerian, he was still riding bikes and lifting weights into his late eighties. HAM radio operator W6VRW (call sign) was his other constant in life. As part of his daily routine, HAM radio allowed him to communicate with people all over the country. Both of these hobbies brought him amazing lifelong friends who he cherished until the end. A handsome man with a great smile, piercing blue eyes and a wink, he had a terrific sense of humor and shared his positive nature with everyone he met. He could repair and fix just about anything and was always very generous with his time to help others. A gifted conversationalist, he loved to talk about nutrition, important people in history, the Great Creator, and the possibilities of the universe. He was also a self-taught classical pianist. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy, as well as his sweetheart for the last decade, Carolyn. He was much loved and admired, and is leaving behind many friends and family members who will miss him dearly. A celebration of Bill's life will be held on May 14th at 12:00pm at the Point Loma Assembly (3035 Talbot St., San Diego, 92106).