William J. Coane

William Coane was born August 31, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away September 7, 2002, in Merced, California, where he had lived for the past 40 years.

Bill served in the US Air Force for 21 years and his love of airplanes and flying continued throughout his life. He traveled extensively during his time in the military and took great joy in telling stories about the time he spent in foreign countries. He also has a lifelong love of horses. He bought his first horse as a teenager and owned at least one from then on. He was an avid team roper and placed in the Regional Finals for several years. He was also a successful businessman. He owned and operated Bill’s Beacon in Merced until his retirement in 1993. He enjoyed the many people he met and became friends with at his business. He was a volunteer with the Merced Country Sheriff’s Department and a member of the Merced Horseman’s Association.

Submitted by Barbara Coane