William Arthur Dean

William Arthur Dean

1930-2024

William was born Jan. 1, 1930, in San Diego, Calif., to Helen C. (Banyard) and Oscar B. Dean.

During his childhood, he lived in San Diego County, Calif., where he attended school, graduating from Grossmont High School in 1948.

In May 1949, he joined the U.S. Army. In August 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Norma May (Casteel) Dean, who followed him all over the USA throughout his Army (1949-1952) and civil service careers (General Dynamics 1953-1965 and U.S. Department of Defense 1965-1992 (U.S. Navy).

William is preceded in death by his wife, Norma May (Casteel) Dean; his parents, Oscar B. Dean and Helen C. (Banyard) Hines; his stepfathers, Wesley Parker Bowman II and Glen Hines; stepmother, Grace Dean; his brother, Wesley Parker Bowman III; his son, William R. Dean; and grandson, William G. A. Dean.

William is survived by his daughters, Nikki M. Dean Williams and husband, Brian, of Bremerton, Wash., and Tammie L. Dean, of Belen; his brother, Robert J. Dean and wife, Terry Jo Dean, of Corvallis, Ore.; stepmother, Shirley Reider, of Santee, Calif.; stepsister, Debbie Bowman, of Potrero, Calif.; sister-in-law, Valeri Holbrook, of Porterville, Calif..; daughter-in-law, Susan Bardot Dean, and granddaughter, Sarah Rose Amador, of Charlotte, N.C.; grandson, Joel Skubinna, of Seattle, Wash.; granddaughter-in-law, Misty Dean, of Vista, Calif.; and several great-grandchildren, Jacob and Vinny Amador, Wednesday Mellon and Thor Dean.

William and his wife, Norma, were foster parents to many babies and toddlers for CPS in San Diego County in the years (22.5 years) prior to retiring in Belen. William loved God, his family, everything Disney (Mickey Mouse), Native American art, domestic animals and horses, reading Cussler and Clancy novels, and helping the community he lived in. He was a member of American Legon Post 81 in Belen.

William has resided in Belen for more than 32 years, where he was active in his church until illness prevented his attendance. He will be missed by many.

A memorial service for William will take place at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 20, at the First Presbyterian Church of Belen.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.