Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This organization’s aim is to fund stem cell research so more can be learned about the disease and a cure can be found. We want to bring hope to anyone that has this terrible disease.

William Peirce Rosenwald, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully among his family on September 10th, 2011 in Orange, California. Bill was born on August 11, 1943 in Edina, Minnesota to Kenneth Peirce and Willora Mary Rosenwald. He grew up in Chicago, Illinois and Oakland, California. He attended Concordia High School in Oakland, California and graduated with the class of 1961. Later, he attended California Concordia Junior College in Oakland and Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. After that, he attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and was ordained as a Lutheran Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Piedmont, California. His first call was to Grace Lutheran in Needles, California where he built the church and served as Pastor. In 1974, he moved to San Bernardino, California to serve at Trinity Lutheran Church.

He was an Associate Pastor in Houston, Texas at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church. Called to serve as Pastor of Shepherd of the Woods in Humble, Texas and retired from Trinity Lutheran in Liberty, Texas.

A dedicated family Pastor, he officiated or blessed his children’s weddings and baptized his grandchildren.

He retired in 2006 to Warner Springs, California and then onto Corona, California.

Bill was a people person and may have been called Pastor Bill, Coach Bill, Rosie, Daddy, Dad, Popi, Papa Bill, or Grandpa. He was passionate about sports and living life to its fullest potential. Many of his children reflected on his loving guidance toward excellence whether it was juggling a soccer ball, perfecting a round-off, sinking a putt, or acing a test. Above all else he stressed as long as you gave it your best, he was proud of you.

Bill and Lois loved to travel and were spontaneous in their travel planning. In his life he visited the Holy Land, Europe, Canada, Mexico and made numerous driving trips and flights across the United States and family vacations to the Hawaiian Islands.

Bill and Lois taught us all the meaning of patience, love and family first through Bill’s battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) the last twenty months of his life.

Bill is succeeded on Earth by his wife, Lois; his children Robert, Lisa, Erin, Jason, Skye, Lauren, Mara; and his grandchildren Ethan, Connor, Carson, Ryan, Claire, Jayden, Charlee, Aubrey and Spencer, many close friends and parishioners.

His family and friends celebrated his life Friday, September 16th at Warner Springs Ranch Golf Course on the 5th tee. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to support ALS research through the ALS Association at www.alsa.org.