William Kreile

William Kreile, of Fallbrook, passed away suddenly, but peacefully, on Oct. 17, 2011 of natural causes. He was 84.

Bill was born in Bell, Calif. on March 2, 1927. He began his career as an elementary school teacher in the L.A. Unified School District in 1949. After seven years, at the young age of 29, he was promoted to principal. Popular and well-respected, he was elected to a two year term as president of the LAUSD Principals Association - quite an honor to lead the elementary school principals of the second largest school district in the country. He retired after 33 years with the district. Prior to teaching, Bill was in the Navy’s V-12 Officer program, studying at College of Pacific, UC Berkeley and graduating from UCLA. He later earned his Masters degree in education from USC.

Survivors include Ann, his beloved wife with whom he was one month short of reaching their 63rd anniversary. Bill and Ann’s life together was extraordinary - until the end they were loving and happy – dreaming about their future plans. Additional survivors include their three children, Nancy, Jim, and Lee Ann; grandsons Christopher, Denny, and Alex; and brothers Ernie and Dick, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Over the course of his life, Bill lived in Maywood, Huntington Park, Downey, Leucadia, Arcadia, Bonsall, and Fallbrook. Along the way, he made dozens of dear friends who are shocked and saddened by his passing but who can take solace in remembering the full, happy life he led. An avid outdoorsman, Bill loved gardening, fishing and the ocean. He also loved to travel, visiting people and places around the world.

Most memorable for those who knew him will be his compassion, generosity and fairness for all, his delight in kids, his faith in mankind, and, of course, his sense of humor.

We will look forward to a Celebration of Bill’s Life – time and place will be announced. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to UNICEF.