Bill Gene Lind, 88, passed away peacefully after a long illness on July 1, 2016 in Camarillo, California. Bill was born September 30, 1927, in Winfield, Kansas to Ruby and Steve Lind who gave him the name “Billy Gene”. At age nine, he moved with his family to Southern California where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his dad and friends. Later, Ruby and Steve adopted a daughter, Barbara. A natural athlete, Bill played baseball and football for Montebello High. Bill learned to play clarinet and met his high school sweetheart, Doris Alsup, while playing in the church orchestra. Bill dropped the “y” in Billy and left high school at 17 to enlist in the US Navy and serve in the Pacific at the end of World War II. Bill and Doris married in 1947 and had a daughter, Pam, and son, Brian. Bill initially worked as an upholsterer while completing his high school degree and college courses at Cerritos College in Norwalk. In 1951, Bill joined Lever Brothers Company, Los Angeles, as a machinist. Bill and Doris ended their marriage in 1962.
On a whim, Bill drove up to Ventura to visit his best friend, Gene Lovejoy, and his family who introduced him to a neighbor, Dorothy Whitford, a widow with three children. Bill and Dorothy soon found love “The Second Time Around" and married in September 1963. With his experience as a machinist, Bill was the first employee hired for the new 3M plant in Camarillo where he was involved in the installation of the manufacturing equipment and keeping the machinery operating smoothly for a few years. Before long, Bill and Dorothy designed and built an addition to their home to accommodate all five children. Bill was especially proud of the impressive native stone fireplace that kept the couple warm for over 50 winters.
In 1965, Bill and Dorothy joined Dorothy's mother, Frances Bergman, in managing the Red Hen Restaurant in Ventura. Bill learned to tend bar and managed that side of the business. When the restaurant sold in 1972, Bill purchased the area franchise of Chem Mark and Swing Mark Equipment and Supplies, providing Ventura County restaurants and bars with dish machines, glass washers, cleaning supplies and service for many years. During this time, he and Dorothy also managed Hi Ho Burgers # 2 on Main Street and acquired the nicknames, Grandpa and Grandma Hi Ho, from their grandson. Bill’s talent for working with plumbing and machinery was put to good use again when Dorothy opened Vickie’s Pampered Pet grooming shop with daughter-in-law, Vickie Cook Whitford, where Bill installed and maintained the bathing equipment and pet dryers.
Over the years, Bill continued his love of athletics. He became proficient in snow skiing, water skiing and playing golf, achieving every golfer’s dream: a hole in one! While his sons played baseball, Bill served as president and an umpire for the Ventura Coastal Little League. He enjoyed family camping trips, house boating, water skiing and snow skiing, trips to casinos and world travel. Bill and Dorothy relished the company of friends at dinners, parties, dances and card games. Bill was also active in the Ventura Breakfast Lions Club, Channel Islands Masonic Lodge No. 214 and Ventura Shrine Club.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and his beloved wife of 51 years, Dorothy Jean Lind. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Pam and Michael Mundy, Brian and Chris Lind, Karen and Glenn “John" Stallings, Marilyn Whitford, and Ken Whitford. Bill also leaves behind twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Bill’s family extends heartfelt thanks to caregivers Richard, Romeo and Orlando as well as Jerry, Rene and the staff of McFadden Assisted Living in Camarillo for their devoted and compassionate care.
A “Celebration of Life” service will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2016, 1:00 pm, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Ventura County or the Shriner's Hospitals for Children.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com
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