At the age of 4 the family moved to Coolidge, AZ where Bill graduated from Coolidge High School in 1940. After school, he was in the United States Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945 serving as a flight engineer flying in B-17s and B-29s. In 1946, he married his first wife Elaine and attended Arizona State College. After graduation in 1949 the family moved to Phoenix where he started his 41 year career as a New York Life Insurance agent. Bill moved to Ventura from Phoenix in 1960 and was a resident for 53 years. He retired from New York Life Insurance Co. in 1990.
While selling insurance was his profession, his true passion was breeding and showing Pekingese dogs. While pursuing this hobby with his wife, he became a renowned dog show judge judging all over the world. He judged at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show several times and was seen on television judging other shows. His career as a dog show judge lasted over 50 years. His last assignment was in Hawaii in October 2012.
Bill was living independently and driving until his illness in late January 2013.
Bill was very active in the Ventura County Dog Fanciers Association and was a member for 50 plus years. He was the dog show chairman for many years. He belonged to several other dog clubs as well. Bill was a delegate to the American Kennel Club and was very proud of the work his accomplished in this position. He was also a member of the AKC Trial Board Committee.
Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife Elaine Bergum, second wife Lee Bergum, and his only brother John Boyd Bergum. He leaves behind his daughter Cathy Villa and her husband, Robin; son, Clinton Bergum of Ventura, CA; step-daughter, Sugar Price of El Paso, Texas; grandchildren: Julie Franck of Ventura, CA, Dawn Arnold and Erik Moore of El Paso, Texas; nieces: Nancy Dexter and Cindy Morrey and nephew John Boyd Bergum, Jr. all of Utah.
The family wants to thank every single employee of the Ventura Convalescent Hospital for their attentive and loving care of Bill during his last months of life.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday April 30th at the Ventura Baptist Church, 5415 Ralston St. Ventura, CA 93003.
Donations can be made in Bill's name to: Ventura Baptist Church, 5415 Ralston St. Ventura, CA 93003 attn.: Jubilee Ministries and The AKC Canine Health Foundation, PO Box 900061, Raleigh, NC 27675-9061. You can mail your contribution to them or visit www.akcchf.org
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Charles Carroll Funeral Home in Ventura. For more information you may phone (805) 642-8134 or you may visit our website at www.charlescarrollfuneralhome.com for flowers (877) 894-0431, code #51188.
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