William Griffith

Bill was born on a homestead in Big Horn County, Wyoming on April 3, 1918 to Clella and Russell Griffith and grew up in a small town in the northwestern part of the state. He attended the University of Wyoming, graduating with a degree in Accounting. Later he obtained a Masters degree in Forensic Science from George Washington University in Washington DC.

After graduating from college in 1940, Bill was employed by the Ohio Oil Co. until 1942 when he entered the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During his 31 years with the FBI, he served in Buffalo NY, Cleveland OH, Mansfield OH, New York NY, Dallas TX and FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, and held such titles as Special Agent, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Section Chief and Deputy Assistant Director.

After his retirement from the FBI in 1973, Bill was employed by GTE (now Verizon) as Security Director, but later served as Vice President of Governmental Affairs until his retirement in 1987. During this period, he represented the company as president of the California Independent Telephone Association in addition to administering the company’s legislative and political affairs. Bill was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Newport Beach Country Club and The Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. His hobbies included duplicate bridge, golf, collecting Western ballads, reading, and relishing the activities of his children and grandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by his son William D. Griffith Jr, his wife of 41 years Kathryn Brown Griffith, brother Paul, and sister Eulalia. He is survived by his beloved wife Marie Hummes Griffith; four much loved step-daughters, Jonie LaBouff (Joe), Mary Lynne Hummes, Katie Simpson (Jim), and Peggy Normandin (Jim); nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A funeral Mass for Bill will be held on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. John Vianney Chapel on Balboa Island CA. There will also be a Rosary Vigil at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 9 at St. John Vianney Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William D. Griffith Scholarship Fund in Criminal Justice at University of Wyoming, Dept. 3197, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie WY 82071 (www.uwyo.edu/CJ/).

Pacific View Memorial Park (949) 644-2700

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.