Obituaries : * William H. McGrath; Grandson of Pioneers
William Hanly McGrath, the grandson of Ventura County agricultural pioneers Dominick and Bridget McGrath, died Tuesday after a lengthy illness. He was 76.
McGrath was a farmer on the Oxnard plain and served on several state agricultural boards, including the Dry Bean Advisory Board and the California Tomato Growers Board. McGrath attended Santa Clara Grammar School and High School in Oxnard before attending Armstrong Business College in Berkeley. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star. Family members say he will be remembered for his Irish wit, love of golf, and his dedication to preserving agriculture.
McGrath is survived by his wife of 49 years, Evelyn; their six children, Rosalind King of Camarillo, Richard McGrath of Ojai, Brian McGrath of San Diego, Daniel McGrath of Santa Barbara, Colin McGrath of Ventura, and Lisa Packard of Thousand Oaks; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Anthony John McGrath, in 1967.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.
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