Obituary of William Benjamin Rusconi

William Benjamin Rusconi passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018.  Bill was born July 30, 1925, in Fresno Ca. to Bernardo and Maria Moscettini-Rusconi; immigrants from Switzerland.  He attended San Joaquin Elementary, Tranquillity High and Fresno State College graduating from Fresno State's first Agronomy course.  In 1953 he married Marjorie Clarisse Ocheltree and together they raised six children: Tanya Freitas, Beth Abraham, Steve Rusconi, Shelli Herred, David Rusconi and John Rusconi, who gave them 30 grand and great-grandchildren. Bill's interests as a young entrepreneur began when he sold vegetables and eggs out of his wagon.  While still in late grammar school he raked, bought, then sold flax straw to a local processor.  He served in the U.S. Aircorp as a radio dispatcher before finishing college and starting his career in agriculture as a farmer, agronomist and international businessman.  Bill owned several businesses in Ca., other states and other countries; marketing seeds and produce around the world.  He was a pioneer in mail advertising, developed trade-marked hybrid seeds, owned a travel agency, hosted ocean cruises and was presented the Key to the City of Osaka, Japan.  When younger he  played the saxophone and always enjoyed landscaping his yard.  Bill had high expectations for his life and expected as much from everyone else.   Bill will certainly be missed by family, friends and associates. Here's to Eternal Life, Love and Laughter!  Please visit the Benito & Azzaro homepage to leave your thoughts and condolences with his family.