William A. Barber, AKA Billy, was born October 27, 1942 in Hickman County, Tennessee. He died April 26, 2020 at home in Westminster, CA at 77 years old from complications associated with bladder cancer.
One of 5 children Billy grew up in a family of modest means. Although frequently on the brink of mischief, he still took care of his youngest brother Tommy and got good grades in school. He began working and saving his money very young and took pride in his possessions, especially his first red and white ’58 Ford that made him the talk of the town as a teenager.
After high school he married his first wife Linda Hinson on May 20, 1962. They had two daughters together, Suzanne and Sheila. He later moved to California after their divorce and fell in love again. He married his second wife Brenda Madelyn Reed on March 21, 1970. Brenda had two boys from her first marriage, Kevin and Darrin. Together they had two more children, Julie and Jennifer. Billy and Brenda resided in Westminster, CA for most of their 43 years of marriage. Our blended family enjoyed many things together like camping, pool parties, Disneyland, river trips, and many meals and holidays together.
Billy worked at a Ford dealership as a mechanic when he moved to California and left that career to be an authorized dealer for Snap-on tools for the next 35 years. Many of his customers became his closest friends. He won numerous sales awards during that time and invested much of his wealth in property and classic cars. You’d often find him at his shop or garage tinkering with his cars and listening to 50’s or country music.
He was the son of the late Thelma McClearen Barber and Ernie Barber and hus-band of the late Brenda Madelyn Reed. Surviving are his siblings Tommy Barber, Larry Barber, Dorothy Barnhill, and Jo Ann Haley. Children Suzanne Barber, Sheila Warren, Kevin Thompson, Darrin Thompson, Julie Bullock, & Jennifer Elledge and 6 grandchildren.
He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm under-standing of what was important — the simplicity of living below your means and enjoying life with those you love. A definite family man, even up to his last breath.
The way he died is just like how he lived: he wrote his own rules, he paved his own way, and went out fighting. He died peacefully at home with 8 family mem-bers surrounding him holding his hand while sharing our favorite memories. And maybe a beer. You’ll be forever loved and remembered by all the lives you touched. Thank you for being such a huge part of our lives. Rest in peace.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18