LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Dec. 21, 2020, William Charles McNabb, better known as Charlie, passed away at home surrounded by loved ones, after a long, valiant fight with cancer.

Here a few words about Charlie: While trying to sum up my father-in-law’s life, I keep coming back to one thought … Never will you meet a man who more faithfully lived his values.

My father-in-law never let another man down. He fulfilled every obligation he ever undertook. His word was his bond, and everyone knew it. I never knew him to lie, nor intentionally deceive.

My father-in-law was self-made and self-reliant. Charlie was proud to be a painter. From his career to his skill with every kind of tool that could fashion wood or metal, brick or cement, cars or trucks, my father-in-law engaged with the world as a man who would be its master. Charlie was a teacher of all things. His method was simple. He taught by example.

My father-in-law was strong in body, in spirit and in commitment. In recent years Charlie, with Cherrill or Ryan by his side, was able to relish the good things in life including hunting, fishing, travel, food and wine, and friends and family.

He had a quiet dignity, respecting himself the way he respected others. As he faced his final days, his body ravaged with the cancer, he not once lost his good humor and he never had one moment of self-pity. The day before he passed when the hospice nurse asked him how he was doing, he gave the same answer he gave every day: “I’m fine.” In his mind he was fine, he was going home.

While I know that my father-in-law is gone from this world, I know that I am fortunate enough to still get to “see” him everyday, in both my husband and my son. Thank you, Charlie, for making Ryan the man he is today and thank you for showing Asher what the best grandfathers are made of.

Charlie is preceded in death by his mother and father, Imogene and Lorenzo McNabb; and his sister, Barbara Jean McNabb.

Charlie is survived by his son and best friend, Ryan McNabb, daughter-in-law, Erin McNabb; his beloved grandson, Asher McNabb; his brothers, Ronald (Ilona) McNabb, Carl McNabb and John (Sandy) McNabb; sister, Judy (Leroy) Pruett; many beloved nieces and nephews; and his partner in crime and love of his life, Cherrill Jones.

Charlie will live forever in the hearts of those he left behind. Will always be remembered for his jolly, “give you the shirt off my back” personality and for his unwavering love of his family. Charlie was most definitely one of the good ones. We love you.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary 707-263-0357 or 994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.