Lynden resident Bill Sturdivant was called home to his Heavenly Father on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. Bill was born on Oct. 26, 1934, in Calumet, Oklahoma. Soon after, the family moved to Fowler, California, where he spent much of his boyhood and graduated from Fowler Union High School. Bill went on to attend Reedley College in Reedley, California, and then joined the U.S. Army and did one tour, stationed in Germany.
Soon after returning from Germany, he met Elizabeth “Beth” Williams and on Dec. 5, 1964, they married. Together they had one daughter, Adrianne, whom they adored. Bill worked for the State of California’s Division of Forestry, supervising in Conservation Camp #13 and in the Civilian Conservation Corps until his retirement in 1984.
In 1989, Bill and Beth moved to Lynden to be close to daughter Adrianne and husband Anthony deJong and their children Matthew (Helena), Mark and Tyler and great-granddaughter Violet who brought a twinkle to his eye. Bill worked part-time in his retirement for the City of Lynden in the Public Works Department reading meters. Bill was a quiet, simple man and enjoyed puttering around on his mini farm. He loved growing vegetables in his garden and canning his fresh home-grown produce. In his retirement years, he enjoyed cooking for Beth and together they would walk around Lynden. He was a member of Grace Baptist Fellowship.
A family and neighborhood barbecue honoring Bill is being planned. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
