Obituary of William Whitmore

William Bezaleel Whitmore The Whitmore family is sad to announce the death of our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, William Bezaleel Whitmore on September 17, 2013, after a lengthy fight with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Until his last day and even after his passing, he was home with the whole family around him, his very favorite thing. He was a resident of Simi Valley, California since 1980. Bill was born on May 31, 1938 in Summit, New Jersey to Bezaleel Howe Whitmore and Florence Mae Pierman of West Orange, New Jersey. Their lives resonate in Bill's renowned humor, entrepreneurship, candidness and creative personality. He was the second child of two; Connie Robison of Sparta, NJ survives her little brother. Famously passionate about cars, it was he who Marilyn Brannan Messier called in 1961 to help her pick out an Austin Healy Sprite after college. Many dates later, and knowing each other since they were 9, he proposed and on July 21,1962 they married. We celebrated their 50th in July of 2012 on a family cruise to Alaska. Our parent's fortitude and resilience is an amazing example of how to "do" marriage, including romance, honor, forgiveness and unconditional love. It is their powerful legacy. Bill and Marilyn had three daughters, all of whom live within a few miles in Simi Valley; Janine Marie Montoya, Lisa Michelle Whitmore and Dyan Nicole Hall. A graduate of Newark College of Engineering in Newark, NJ, he entered the fastener industry and in 1968 was transferred with his young family to Burbank, California by the aerospace company, Avdel. He vowed never to return to the New Jersey winters, and fully embraced California enjoying his pool, many convertibles, and taking advantage of the nearness of Vegas where he and Mom had a second home for 25 years. He opened Simi Fastening Systems in 1982 "fastening" the family to California for good. Simi Fastening Systems yet thrives under the leadership of Dyan's husband, Jamey Hall. All Bill's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been born and raised in California because of his decision to stay. They are: Cynthia Lauren, Bethany Janine and William (after Bill) Theodore Montoya; Tracie Brannon, Trevor James and Troy Robert Hebert; Haley Rachelle, Holly Noel, Helena Nicole and Harmony Corrine Hall. Noah Bradley Jackson and Eva Bellaryn Montoya-Fowlks are his great-grandchildren. Those lucky enough to know Bill will laugh for years to come from memories of his quick wit, clever nicknames and sardonic glances. We never had to wonder what he thought; his candid opinions on every subject were part of the constant entertainment he provided to all! His car collections, photography, leather sewing, candle making, humorous writing, engineering skills and auto restorations display his artful talents and have left us with many tangible memories. For the girls...."orange freezes", donuts Sunday mornings, cross country station wagon trips, Helen Reddy, England for taxi parts, Sinatra, one roll of quarters at Circus Circus, sit-ups in the Northridge living room, beer can pyramids, Miss America top three, West Side Story on the waterbed, the cowardly lion,.... Dad truly still lives in us. A memorial celebration of his life will soon be announced. Those wishing to honor Bill's life may consider a gift in his name to their favorite charity or ministry. We will miss you beyond words, Bill Whitmore, and we are filled with gratefulness at your being in all our lives a strong presence and undaunted leader. Our cup runneth over.