Charles William Helf

Bill graduated from Oxnard High School class of 1956. While in high school, he joined the U.S. Marines Reserves and served until 1961. Along with his activities, working full-time and attending the Marine Reserve requirements, he was an outstanding student. He was awarded a full scholarship to Claremont-McKenna College in Pomona upon graduating from high school. He was only able to attend Claremont for a year as his father had died and his mother was hospitalized with cancer. He moved to Santa Barbara and attended U.C. Santa Barbara to be closer to his mother. Following his mother's recovery, he enrolled at San Fernando Valley State College (now Cal State Northridge) in January 1962. While taking the transfer examine, he sat next to Jan Dyas. They were married seven months later and were married for more than 59 years until his death. They have two sons, Mark of Yorba Linda, CA and Scott and wife Melanie of Corona, CA.

Bill earned his Bachelor’s Degree from San Fernando Valley State while working fulltime, as vice-president of the student body, and active in Young Republicans on campus, after graduation, he joined a retail management program in Ventura. Loving the outdoors, he and Jan moved to Ojai, California where they enjoyed camping and outdoor activities. After 2 years, he was promoted and transferred to Orange County California. During the next few years, he was promoted up the ladder with major retail and manufacturing representative organizations until he went on his own as a manufacturer’s representative for kitchen appliances. He retired in 1988 and managed the rental properties that he and Jan had acquired.

He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, trips with Jan and the boys, his “off road toys,” and camping with the family. He and Jan moved to their forever home in Yorba Linda in 1967, where he enjoyed his love of gardening and caring for his “small orchard of 55 semi-dwarf fruit trees.