Edward Angelo & Billie Joann Monaco

September 4th Edward Monaco left us to be with Jesus Christ, he passed away from cancer. He then petitioned the Lord for his wife of 64 years, Billie Monaco. Billie fell ill with a fever two days later, and passed away in her sleep early on September 7th. The two of them are together now in heaven as the good Lord would have it. Their loss in this short span is unspeakable for we who knew them personally. Edward, born in La Junta, Co. in 1923 lived a full life involving many different types of practice. Ed left high school to serve in WWII in the Navy in 1942 and was a carpenter on the USS Anzio/Coral Sea Aircraft Carrier. He was a part of many battles including the Gilbert, Marshall, Marianas, Okinawa and Iwo Jima conflicts. Post war, he went to U. of Missouri and graduated pharmacy school. Shortly after, he met the woman he would share 64 years of marriage with, Billie Marocco. They married in 1949 and created a family of 4 boys Mark - Oak Glenn, Jeffrey - Devore, David (Brian) deceased and Stephen - Yucaipa. Billie was born in Christopher, Il. 1929 and lived to love others with her friendly personality, was quick-witted, and was loved by all who were blessed to know her. She was all about family with her mid-western values, was an excellent cook and homemaker; anyone that visited the house was asked "What can I make for you?" She is survived by her sister, Jane Marocco of Talking Rock, Ga. Ed & Billie have 7 grandchildren: Daniel, Brianne, Shawn, Jane, Matthew, Nicholas, Danielle and 9 great grandchildren. Ed bought a pharmacy and located his family in La Mesa, Ca. for thirty-some years. He worked at Kaiser Permanente in La Mesa, San Diego, and Loma Linda. He coached each of the 4 sons through little league with Billie as a Team Mother in La Mesa. He retired from Kaiser, however, and still had his pharmacy license valid untill his death at 89 while Billie was 83. Ed's many endeavors included playing softball, swimming, arboring & caring for his orchards of avocados, citrus, and many tree varieties that he took pride in having. He owned a cabin for 40 years at the headwaters of Bishop Creek's South Fork in the Eastern Sierras. He began painting at 81 through classes with Mr. Petersen in Yucaipa; many say that he mastered the craft. Billie continued her homemaking for the children. For the grandchildren she was a second mother, "The best mother & cook anywhere," friends and family would attest. Ed & Billie followed their sons Mark & Brian to Yucaipa; son, Stephen, would follow. They all fell in love with this town as well as Oak Glenn where Brianne fell in love with Alex Law of the famed Law Family and married. Ed is survived by sisters Sally, Anne, Jean & brother Richard. He was proceeded in death by brothers Alphonso, Reynold and Louis. Ed was the son of Alphonso & Emma Monaco of La Junta, Co. Billie the daughter of Batista & Ida Marocco of Christopher, Il. Prayers are asked for and appreciated for the whole family due to the closeness of the deaths and the hole that is been left now as well as peace through the grieving process. Any donations and in lieu of flowers make a nominal donation to St.Judes Children's Research Hospital. They are to be buried together at Riverside National Cemetery. Funeral Services are Wed. Sept. 11th @ 1:00pm 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, Ca. 92518 Staging Area 1. Please arrive by 12:45pm.