With the final chapter nearly written, family members and friends of Bill Dietzel celebrated the story of a man they say lived to serve.
"He made a difference in your life and for millions of veterans," said friend Debbie Mclaughlin.
A long time veterans advocate, Dietzel helped organize and grow the Fresno Veteran's Day Parade to one of the largest in the country. And even when the end was near, friends say he never stopped working for the veterans he loved.
"He made a difference in my life, a positive difference and that's a short list of people you get to meet in your life," said friend Bob Mclaughlin.
For the hundreds who turned out to pay their respects, that positive influence will be sorely missed. But like the pictures in the slide show, Dietzel's son William says the memory of his father’s service will not soon fade away.
"My dad wasn't just my dad, he was my best friend. I have nothing but great, great memories, precious memories my whole life of that man. And I feel so grateful he was in my life and I had him as my dad," said William Dietzel.
"He made a difference in your life and for millions of veterans," said friend Debbie Mclaughlin.
A long time veterans advocate, Dietzel helped organize and grow the Fresno Veteran's Day Parade to one of the largest in the country. And even when the end was near, friends say he never stopped working for the veterans he loved.
"He made a difference in my life, a positive difference and that's a short list of people you get to meet in your life," said friend Bob Mclaughlin.
For the hundreds who turned out to pay their respects, that positive influence will be sorely missed. But like the pictures in the slide show, Dietzel's son William says the memory of his father’s service will not soon fade away.
"My dad wasn't just my dad, he was my best friend. I have nothing but great, great memories, precious memories my whole life of that man. And I feel so grateful he was in my life and I had him as my dad," said William Dietzel.