William Joseph Clabby

December 19, 1931 – November 21, 2021

William “Bill” Clabby was born in Weiser, ID to parents Nicholas C. Clabby and Mabel Clabby. He grew up in Weiser, where he attended grade school through high school. In high school he was student body president and on the track team. He attended college at Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, where he was editor of the Gonzaga Bulletin and graduated in 1954 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. At Gonzaga, he participated in the ROTC program, and earned a 2nd Lieutenant Commission in the U.S. Army. He met the love of his life, Theresa Clabby, in Spokane while in college and married in April 1954.

He attended Counterintelligence School at Fort Holabird, Maryland and continued there in a technical writing assignment. Later he was stationed in Huntsville, AL where he did background investigations for security clearances. In 1956 he was discharged from the Army and returned to Spokane where he earned a teaching credential and worked for J.C. Penney.

In 1960, Bill and Terry moved to San Diego with 4 children in tow. Bill taught 8th and 9th grade science at Montgomery Junior High School in Linda Vista, where he was a teacher for 18 years. He earned a master’s degree in education at San Diego State University in 1963. He started his own tax preparation business after getting certified as an enrolled agent, as well obtaining additional licenses to sell securities and insurance. In 1979, Bill transferred to Standley Junior High School in University City as a science teacher. He retired from teaching in 1988 but continued working in the tax preparation business until he retired in 2014.

Bill enjoyed camping and dirt bike riding in the desert, as well as traveling the world with his wife Terry. As a teacher with summers free, he would take the family on vacations to see National Parks and visit relatives throughout the West. He was active in his church and loved attending Old Globe theatre productions. One of his passions was taking photos of family and friends. He also loved spending time with family, and nothing made him happier than sharing a meal with loved ones. He was a man of many talents, which included building a family room and master bedroom onto the family house in the 70s. He taught each of his children how to repair the cars they drove. He used to say “If you’re going to drive a car, you need to learn how to maintain it.”

Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, Theresa, and his 6 children (Christina Kauk, Melinda Johnson, Vicki Casaus, Bill Clabby Jr., Carol Reid, Jerry Clabby). He created quite a legacy with 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him!

William Joseph CLABBY, age 89, of El Cajon, California passed away on Sunday, November 21, 2021. William was born December 19, 1931.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elcajonmortuary.com for the CLABBY family.