William “Bill” David Balandis, 87, of Roseville, CA passed away October 7, 2019 surrounded by his wife and family after experiencing a heart attack as he worked in his beloved yard. Bill was born April 23, 1932 in Boston, MA to Sophia Budrikas and Ignacious Balandis. As a 16 year old, he traveled across country to live in San Francisco with his oldest sister, Sophia, and leave behind the risks of South Boston. Bill graduated from Balboa High School in 1949 and entered the U.S. Air Force serving 2 years. While in the Air Force, he met and married his first wife, Mary Watts in 1953. They lived in Santa Clara, CA and raised their four children; Daniel (Sandra), Douglas, Sharon (Greg), Judith (Danny). He coached many of his son’s Santa Clara Little League teams. Bill and his daughters spent time horseback riding. He was an active member of the American Legion in Cupertino.
Bill married his second wife, Delores “Dodee” Kimzey in 1980. They added her 5 children Donald (Jill), Jan (Jurgen), Cheryl (Brian), David (Anne), Gregory (Marilee) to their family.
Bill worked for NASA in Mountain View for 33 years until he retired in 1988. They moved to Penn Valley, CA where he lived his dream with his German Shepherds, horses, and land. He volunteered regularly at the Empire Mine in Grass Valley for many years. Everyone knows Bill as a passionate fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics.
Bill and Dodee moved to Roseville in 2014. He is survived by his wife of 39 years; sister, Ollie Rippo; 3 children and spouses; 5 stepchildren and spouses; 21 grandchildren: Tosha, Josh, Nichole, Cody, Sarah, Ashley, Noah, Jennah, Eric, Michelle, Danny, Rachel T., Rachel K., Matthew, Casey, Lora, Jared, Erika, Karl, Lauren, and Jonathan; and 19 great grandchildren. Sadly, Bill was preceded in death by his son, Douglas; grandson, John; 2 sisters, Blanche and Sophia; and his parents. We were lucky to call him Honey, Dad, Grandpa, Grandpa Bill, Papa and while we will miss him dearly, the love he gave all of us will continue to grow.
Bill’s life will be honored on October 18, 2019, 12 noon at Reichert’s Funeral Home, 7320 Auburn Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95610.
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