William George "Bill" Quinn

(November 20, 1939 – April 7, 2026), Redondo Beach, California

William George Quinn passed on April 7, 2026, at the age of 86. Born on November 20, 1939, William was a resident of Redondo Beach, California.

Bill was born in Venice, CA on November 20, 1939, to Dorothy and Elias Quinn. He was the youngest of 4 children growing up in the Venice canals. Bill was a gymnast at Venice High but spent his time working, hanging out at the beach and halfheartedly trying to stay out of trouble. He met his future wife Donna, a Venice Beach beauty princess and sparks flew. Family life started very quickly with two daughters in 1959 and 1960. Followed by three sons in 1965, 1967 and 1968.

Bill entered the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1963 and served 40 years retiring as a Captain II in 2003. He applied on the suggestion of a friend and had no idea that he was stepping into a career that would challenge him and truly define him. He was very proud of his service in the LAFD and the additional family it created in his life. He was very close to the men he served with and particularly enjoyed helping the new recruits learn the trade, often with some tough love.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. There were many outings to Sequoia, Three Rivers, Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Big Bear often with other LAFD families. He passed his love of the outdoors and adventure to his children and grandchildren. Anytime he dropped a burger from the grill while camping he’d mix it back in and call it the “roulette” burger. He also said he would always make sure he was the one that picked it in the end.

He was a jack of all trades. He could rebuild an engine, build a brick wall and make an apple pie from scratch without a recipe. Literally nothing this man could not do. He even built the family house. Turning a three-bedroom one bath house that was bursting with eight people inside it into a six-bedroom three bath mansion that hosted large extended family gatherings and holidays for thirty-five plus years.

One of his greatest joys was spending time with his 9 grandchildren and great grandson. They could always count on “Aki” (which is what they called him) providing quality time throughout their years from baby to adult. This quality time included piggyback rides, story time, camping, trips to the beach, games of Uno and Mexican Train.

Words can only scratch the surface of how somebody impacts the lives they touch. Bill impacted a lot of lives. Lives he brought into this world as a father. Lives he supported as a grandfather. Lives of those he worked with. Lives he saved as a firefighter. Lives of people he called friends. Even the lives of strangers he met in passing and shared a word or a smile with. Bill cast a wide shadow on his time with us all. And I’m grateful to call him Dad.

Memorial Service June 14, 2026 @10:30am

Lighthouse

5310 Torrance Blvd

Torrance, CA 90503