Edward Arthur Garcia

Edward Arthur Garcia (aka Bill Garcia) passed away peacefully at home on July 6th, 2023, by natural causes. He was 85 years old. He was born to Margaret (Maggie) Garcia and Elias (Leo) Garcia in Wilmington, CA on June 16th, 1938. He was the youngest of 3 sons. His older brothers were named Gilbert Freitas and Leo Garcia. He moved to San Gabriel for a time and then moved back to San Pedro. He attended San Pedro High School. “Go Pirates!” He proudly volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1957. He married his sweetheart, Anna Cowan Garcia, the next year. After serving in the Army, he worked in the Starkist fish canneries at Terminal Island alongside his mother and many other family members for several years. He then worked as a Merchant Seaman for the Merchant Marines and travelled abroad to many different countries. These countries include India, Japan, South America, and he also went through both the Suez and Panama canals to name a few. In 1965, he started working as a crane operator in the steel mills. He retired from Crest Steel in Fontana in 2002.

While Edward was married just shy of 65 years, he was also married in the Catholic Church more than 50 years. While living in both San Pedro and Harbor City they welcomed 5 children. In 1971, he and his family moved to Huntington Beach. They still reside in this family home.

Edward is survived by his wife and 5 children (Ed, Fred, Catherine, Linda, and Shirley). He has 10 grandchildren (Chad, Gregory, Elizabeth, Cheyenne, Shannon, Evan, August, Crystal, Rylee, and Logan) and also 3 great-grandchildren (Emma, Kai, and Johanna).

There will be a public viewing at Green Hills Mortuary in Rancho Palos Verdes on Sunday, July 23rd from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. with a Rosary also commencing at 6:30 p.m.

On Monday, July 24th, there will be a funeral mass at the old Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, 428 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel at 10:00 a.m. He will then be transported to Green Hills Memorial Park, 27501 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes for a graveside service with full military honors. He will be laid to rest in the Valley of Peace section, Lot 3047, Grave A. This will be followed by a lunch reception at The Plaza at Cabrillo Marina, 2965 Via Cabrillo-Marina, San Pedro.