KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – William Bradford Hukkanen, 92, of Kelseyville, died on Monday, Sept. 12, 2016 at his residence.

Bill joined the Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He served on five ships in the Pacific campaign: USS South Dakota where he saw action in three sea battles, USS McCawley which was torpedoed and sunk, USS President Hayes as a coxswain on Higgins landing boats putting the 2nd Marine Division on the beaches of Bougainville, USS Bering Strait as a coxswain on motor whale boats rescuing B-29 crews and the USS Tamalpais, the first American ship to enter Tokyo Harbor.

After World War II Bill came home and worked a few jobs, ending up at Masonite from which he retired after 35 years.

Bill was a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman. Evidence of his skill is reflected in massive deer mounts and antlers. He kept a garden that fed half of Sylar Lane and read voraciously, preferring history.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Hukkanen and Esther Crawford Hukkanen (McNeily), and many friends and shipmates.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Kristine (Rick) Lefeber of Fond du Lac, Wis.; his son, Sammy (Shelly) Hukkanen of Dayton, Nev.; grandchildren, Gina (Keith) Civey, Allyson (Ryan) Welnetz, Teresa Hukkanen, Erika Hukkanen-Stark (Kevin Stark), Karen (Terry) Rehn and Corinne (Nathan) Shumacher; great-grandchildren, Jordan (Karey) Civey, Krista and Ethan Civey, Myles and Cole Welnetz, Jaeda, Leah and Eli Rehn and Zachary Stark; and great-great-grandchildren Kyndra and Jax Civey.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .