| Project by gizmodyne | posted 509 days ago | 924 views | 0 times favorited | 23 comments | ![]() |
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Make of quartersawn white oak, with walnut inlay. Danish oil finish. I chose the knots to represent the rough oaks at the ranch he owned in San Louis Obispo County.
Oak from Bill’s ranch.
This box served as the cremation urn of William Franklin Grider. The service included full military honors.
Born in Missouri August 3, 1924 in a one room house with no electricity or running water.


Served his country proudly in World War II when he enlisted at 17 in the Army Air Core.
Re-enlisted for the Korean War. Retired as a Sergeant as a Los Angeles County Marshall. 
Receiving Officer of the year award.
Rancher in Atascadero, Ca.
Loved motorcycles, dogs, his family, and God. Died June 13, 2008.
Survived by many who will mis him dearly including me and and my wife Kristin, his granddaughter.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne































23 comments so far
trifern
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7894 posts in 658 days
posted 509 days ago
Beautiful box and a heart warming story. Thank you for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Napaman
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3482 posts in 968 days
posted 509 days ago
Beautiful box. It sounds like Bill had a wonderul life and loving family.
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 614 days
posted 509 days ago
Very nice! It sounds like your grandfather was a great person to know. I like the urn a lot. Quartersawn has it’s own unique look, & I like the inlaid cross too.
Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
Bigbuck
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1366 posts in 554 days
posted 509 days ago
Very nice box. I realy like the cross it adds a nice touch. Sorry for your loss.
-- Glenn, New Mexico
Blake
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2751 posts in 765 days
posted 509 days ago
Really nice project, John. It came out beautifully. The oak knot is great, it really does remind you of all those scrub oaks in SLO.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
Chris
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1462 posts in 882 days
posted 509 days ago
Thank You for sharing this…..
-- Chris
Lee A. Jesberger
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3710 posts in 870 days
posted 509 days ago
John;
Sorry to hear about your family’s loss.
Sounds like a great man. The kind that made this country what it is.
Your box is quite elegant as is your accounting of his life.
Wishing you the best;
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
ND2ELK
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6134 posts in 665 days
posted 509 days ago
Beautiful box and beautiful story. I am sure Bill would have been pleased with the box you made. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Betsy
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2388 posts in 787 days
posted 509 days ago
Beautiful in all respects.
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
Todd A. Clippinger
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5632 posts in 990 days
posted 509 days ago
Betsy said it for me.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
CharlieM1958
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7591 posts in 1109 days
posted 509 days ago
I ditto Betsy as well.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
lew
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4466 posts in 646 days
posted 509 days ago
Thanks for the heart felt post.
And THANKS to Mr. Grider for proudly serving this country.
Lew
gizmodyne
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1668 posts in 981 days
posted 509 days ago
Thanks for all of the comments.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
jockmike2
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7296 posts in 1137 days
posted 509 days ago
Great tribute to a great man. He will be missed. His breed are dying off at a fast rate now, those that served in WW11 and Korea. Least we forget.
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
John Gray
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1742 posts in 776 days
posted 509 days ago
THANKS FOR POSTING
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
Douglas Bordner
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3424 posts in 955 days
posted 509 days ago
John, you have honored this fine gentleman with your good work.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
davidtheboxmaker
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372 posts in 696 days
posted 509 days ago
What a wonderful tribute. Well done.
cobbler
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242 posts in 681 days
posted 508 days ago
The box is superb. Grandpa would approve.
Quarter sawn white oak is my favorite wood.
Thanks for sharing a little of his life.
-- ''Carry on my wayward son''
SteveKorz
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2030 posts in 605 days
posted 505 days ago
He sounds like a great man. That’s also a great lookin’ box. I really like the inlayed cross. You’ve brought honor to him with your post.
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
Dorje
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1768 posts in 888 days
posted 505 days ago
I’m with Betsy. You done well John…
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
gator9t9
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295 posts in 595 days
posted 505 days ago
So sorry to hear of your Gran’dads passing and that is a great really great box …oh yes thanks so much …for sharing …
-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."
gator9t9
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295 posts in 595 days
posted 505 days ago
Hey is that Charlie Sheen standing right next to Granpa, in the Officer of the Year Pic ??
-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."
Beginningwoodworker
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4084 posts in 564 days
posted 382 days ago
Thats a Beautiful box, and sorry to hear your loss.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker