Bill Santos

Longtime "Caterpillar Man" Bill Santos passed away Sunday evening. He is survived by his three children, 12 grand children and 12 great-grandchildren. He and his wife Rita, who preceeded him, were married 57 years. He worked with Caterpillar for 39 years, first at Marysville Tractor and later TENCO. He was a mechanic and later a sales representative. He was born 2-26-26. He repaired the tractors with open end wrenches, a screwdriver and a minimal socket set. There were no power tools in those days! His favorite saying was "If you can't fix it with a railroad spike and rock, you're no mechanic". He was an "Engineologist", and did extensive research on items from the industrial age. He built several engines from scratch and from drawings obtained from the patent office and they all worked! He was one of those people who could literally build and fix absolutely anything. He made his own molds for casting and did aluminum casting. For cast iron he sent his mold to a foundry. He enjoyed participating in and visiting tractor and engine shows all across the country and overseas. He made many friends outside of the U.S.. He was an endless fountain of knowledge and willing to share with anyone who asked.
I am so thankfull I was born in his time and got to know him.
As soon as services are arranged and scheduled I will post and let everyone know.

Sorry to hear the news. Not sure but I think he had a web page when I first started collecting. It had a pic of him and his sons and grandsons all siting on Cats and Best machines in a lineup If recall. Will be missed

Bill and I had many good times at his shop and at numerous shows including traveling together to The Brooks Steam Up show once. It was a pleasure supplying some parts and watching him restore his Best 60 no. 102. He had to manufacture all the parts for the fan hub assembly witch were unique to the first four best 60's, no problem. Bill was also quite artistic and left behind several wood and metal sculptures. Bill's shop was on the map for many visitors foreign and domestic. Bill had many good friends especially Don Dougherty who deserves a lot of credit for calling Bill daily and providing transportation often. I have been fortunate to able to have visited Bill several times this past two years and will miss him very much. RT