George William Konzelman

Bill Konzelman, husband, father, resident of Arcadia, and lifelong Californian, passed away on Monday afternoon, September 29, after a long fight with Parkinson's disease and other health problems. After attending Alhambra High School in the footsteps of his late sister Jeanne, and then as a graduate of Whittier College, Bill was the owner for more than fifty years of a furniture-making business he first started in his mother's garage, and which he built up with colleagues, clients and employees until retiring in 2000. From college basketball with the Whittier Poets, to golf, tennis, and cycling, along with swing dancing and square dancing and coaching his kids' soccer teams and hiking with his sons' scouting troops, as well as family ski trips and camping trips and trips of any kind, Bill reveled in physical activity and competition as long as his body allowed him. He leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Virginia, to whom he first became engaged in Mexico City, who enjoyed with him their twice-annual weeks in Laguna Beach, and with whom he traveled to Europe, many times, Alaska, the Caribbean and China. He is also survived by his three children - Karen, James, and Christopher - as well as Karen's husband Brian, Jim's wife Martha, and three grandchildren, Sadie, Ethan, and Noah, along with nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was a fan of the Dodgers, and UCLA basketball, and most of the time, the Republican Party. He spoke often of the importance of positive thinking and encouraged the accomplishments of his wife, his children and his family. He loved Dixieland jazz and classic country-and-western and the infield at Santa Anita Park, he sometimes played the ukulele, he relished a good IPA or a German pilsner, and he loved - and was loved by - his family. Bill Konzelman died peacefully and comfortably with his family around him. We will miss him terribly.

Memorial services for Bill will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10:00 a.m., at St. Luke's Church in Temple City. Donations to Parkinson Research Foundation (parkinsonhope.org) or Paralyzed Veterans of America (www.SupportVeterans.org) are suggested in lieu of flowers