William Jessup

William “Bill” Grant Jessup 72, passed peacefully on August 28, 2018, following a long illness.

Bill was born in Oakland, CA on August 11, 1946 to Robert C. and Norma C. Jessup.  He attended school in Walnut Creek, CA, finishing his education at DVC in Pleasant Hill CA, where he studied criminal justice.

In 1966, he married Terri Jernigan.  They have two daughters and were married for 12 years.

Bill served as a Reserve Police Officer in Walnut Creek for 13 years.  He also worked as a framing carpenter, mail carrier, grocery clerk, warehouse driver and at several fun seasonal jobs from 1985 – 1996 when he and Barbara traveled in their RV.

Bill and Barbara (Bartkoski) spent 39 happy years together, marrying in 1985.  They settled in Grand Junction, Colorado in 1996.

He enjoyed all the people he met along the way, often saying, “The great memories of our travels are more about the people we met than the places we went.”

After retiring in 2007, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle, 13 times in the local toy run, and to his favorite coffee shop where he made some very special friends.  Breakfast with his buddy, Mitch, was a weekly highlight.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his 2 daughters, Julie Heck of Grand Junction, Co and Tina Bristow of Orland, CA, sister Pat Alameda (Richard) of Pittsburg, CA, 2 granddaughters, 3 great-grandchildren, his Aunt Barbara Walden, his loving niece and nephew, cousins  and a large family of in-laws.

Bill was deeply loved and will be dearly missed.