William Dunbar Fairfield

Bill Fairfield, longtime resident of Ventura County, died at his home on Monday, July 25th. Bill was born in Hollywood, California on June 17, 1939 to Wallace and Margaret Fairfield. He and his two younger brothers, Dick and Mort, were raised in La Canada.

In his senior year at Occidental College, Bill met his future wife Donna Jones. They were married on August 11, 1962. He earned his law degree from Hastings College of Law in 1964.

Bill and Donna settled in Ventura in 1965 when Bill accepted a position as a Deputy District Attorney. He entered into private practice in 1967 with William Clark, Junior. The Honorable William Clark soon left the practice to join then-governor Ronald Reagan in Sacramento. One of Bill’s prized possessions is a signed picture of Reagan, apologizing to him for taking his law partner from him.

Besides his dedication to the law and his clients, Bill’s passions ran the gamut. From fishing and sailing, to snowmobiling and ATVing; bike riding and racquetball, to photography and quote collecting; barbecuing and Bloody Mary's, to sunrises and sunsets, Bill managed to live each day to the fullest.

The values and life lessons that Bill learned along the way to earning his Eagle Scout, he carried into adulthood. His commitment to and involvement with the community included volunteering his time to The American Heart Association, The Boy Scouts of America, The Ventura County Community Foundation, and The Boys & Girls Club of America. Numerous other charities and foundations benefited from his leadership and expertise.

Bill is survived by his wife Donna, children Stephanie Cecil (James), Megan Henderson (David), Mitchell Fairfield (Catherine) and his grandchildren Makena, Henry, Bisbee, Piper, Cal and Meyer. His legacy lives on in the people he impacted from California to the Carolinas, Hawaii to Idaho, Costa Rica to Germany and Switzerland, and many points in between.

Like the Cook Island pine seeds that Bill gathered and brought back from Lanai, nurtured into young seedlings, then gave to family and friends to continue caring for, Bill mentored people in the same manner. If you happen to be driving along Foothill Road, near Crestwood Drive, look for the Cook Island pine that Bill planted years ago, and smile.

As a collector and sharer of quotes, Bill knew this one from Lou Holtz well: “Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” Bill’s ability, motivation and attitude benefited all who knew him.

Flowers are temporary. Donations to the Ventura County Chapters of The American Heart Association or The Boy Scouts of America help permanently. A private service will be held in August.

Borrowed from Tim McCoy, Bill’s personalized sign-off included a sweeping hand motion and two words, “Wash Te.”

“Wash Te” Bill, Billy, Puzzard, Daddi, Gump, Gumpers

Arrangements under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.