World War II Veteran Peter J. Torrance, 96, of Killen, AL, died peacefully Saturday, November 24, 2018, at ECM Hospital.
Pete, a fifth generation Californian, along with his wife Patti, moved to Alabama from Pacific Beach eight years ago to be close to their daughter. They were married 73 years prior to her death two years ago.
After his service in the U. S. Navy, Pete worked most of his career for the U. S. Government at the Naval Electronics Laboratory. He worked on such projects as the Bathyscaphe Trieste and installing the first main frame computer. After his retirement, he joined the Search and Rescue team of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, eventually working full time as a deputy.
In his free time he was the football, baseball, and basketball coach for his son. Not knowing the official rules of baseball, he went to classes and became an official umpire the year before his son was old enough to play little league. Family was important to him. He also loved history and was willing to share his stories with old and young.
He was the only son of Jack and Rose Baker Torrance and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area.
He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Hawk, and her husband John of Killen and his son John R. Torrance and his wife Carmella of Wilderville, OR.
He leaves 3 grandchildren, Heather O’Kelley, and husband Josh of Killen, Emily Singleton and husband Fester of Killen, and Jason Torrance of Wilderville, OR.
Great grandchildren are Savannah Smith, Andrew Smith, and Joshua O’Kelley, great-great granddaughter Lydia Grace, and nephew Dr. Patrick Shoemaker and family of La Mesa, California.
The family would like to thank the staff of ECM, Shoals Home Health, especially nurse Elly, Tennessee Valley Hospice, special nurses Sandra and Sue for their wonderful caretaking of both Pete and Patti, and the most wonderful caretakers, granddaughter Heather, Linda Pierce and Charlene Lanier.
There will be no public service.
To the end of his 96 years, it can be said that he did it his way.
Greenhill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
