HAROLD L. BILL CHILD, JR. Former FBI Special Agent and Legal Attache Harold L. "Bill" Child, Jr. passed away on January 16, 2014 in Honolulu at the age of 93. Born in Oakland, CA, Bill and his parents were displaced by the Depression and came to Hawaii in 1931, living first in Honolulu and later in Wahiawa. Bill attended the University of Hawaii, studying foreign languages, and joined the FBI upon graduation in 1941, working in various field offices throughout the U.S. He met the love of his life, Patty (Hall) on her first day reporting to duty as secretary at the Seattle FBI office, and soon thereafter they were married in Honolulu. Because of his fluency in Japanese, as well as his outstanding field work, he subsequently opened the original office of the Legal Attache in the American Embassy in Tokyo in 1954, covering not only Japan but also Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea. Upon his retirement in 1976, Bill was honored to receive a number of awards and decorations, including the prestigious Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan, for his contribution to cooperation between the U.S. and Japan in the field of law enforcement. Upon retirement, Bill's dream was to return to Hawaii and trade liaison and reporting for "muddy, calloused hands." He formed a development company and built homes in Wahiawa, doing much of the construction work himself. His next phase of "retirement" utilized his Far East contacts in challenging and enjoyable work and travel as a security consultant for several U.S. companies. Bill was a lifelong learner who loved languages and pondering the mysteries of life. He enjoyed carpentry, building furniture for his home and totem poles with his grandchildren. He loved playing bridge, reading mystery novels, and traveling with his beloved Patty. Bill truly lived his life according to the values that meant the most to him: loyalty, integrity and optimism in his work, his family and his friendships, and in fact, in all of his relationships. He was a loving and devoted son, husband and father, and a hero to his grandchildren. In addition to his wife Patty of 66 years, Bill is survived by his daughter Lynne and her husband Carl Franceschi of Needham, MA, his daughter in law Sandra Child of Chapel Hill, NC, his eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by his two sons, Michael and John. A family gathering in his memory will take place later this year in Honolulu.
HAROLD L. BILL CHILD, JR. Former FBI Special Agent and Legal Attache Harold L. "Bill" Child, Jr. passed away on January 16, 2014 in Honolulu at the age of 93. Born in Oakland, CA, Bill and his parents were displaced by the Depression and came to Hawaii in 1931, living first in Honolulu and later in Wahiawa. Bill attended the University of Hawaii, studying foreign languages, and joined the FBI upon graduation in 1941, working in various field offices throughout the U.S. He met the love of his life, Patty (Hall) on her first day reporting to duty as secretary at the Seattle FBI office, and soon thereafter they were married in Honolulu. Because of his fluency in Japanese, as well as his outstanding field work, he subsequently opened the original office of the Legal Attache in the American Embassy in Tokyo in 1954, covering not only Japan but also Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and South Korea. Upon his retirement in 1976, Bill was honored to receive a number of awards and decorations, including the prestigious Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan, for his contribution to cooperation between the U.S. and Japan in the field of law enforcement. Upon retirement, Bill's dream was to return to Hawaii and trade liaison and reporting for "muddy, calloused hands." He formed a development company and built homes in Wahiawa, doing much of the construction work himself. His next phase of "retirement" utilized his Far East contacts in challenging and enjoyable work and travel as a security consultant for several U.S. companies. Bill was a lifelong learner who loved languages and pondering the mysteries of life. He enjoyed carpentry, building furniture for his home and totem poles with his grandchildren. He loved playing bridge, reading mystery novels, and traveling with his beloved Patty. Bill truly lived his life according to the values that meant the most to him: loyalty, integrity and optimism in his work, his family and his friendships, and in fact, in all of his relationships. He was a loving and devoted son, husband and father, and a hero to his grandchildren. In addition to his wife Patty of 66 years, Bill is survived by his daughter Lynne and her husband Carl Franceschi of Needham, MA, his daughter in law Sandra Child of Chapel Hill, NC, his eight grandchildren, and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by his two sons, Michael and John. A family gathering in his memory will take place later this year in Honolulu.Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
