William H. Bayless

William H. (Bill) Bayless passed away peacefully on April 28, 2019 surrounded by his wife and two children at Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Born in Long Beach on February 15, 1940, Bill was 79 years old. He attended Horace Mann Elementary, Jefferson Junior High and Wilson High School. He also took extension classes from UCLA. Go Bruins!

He left home at 16 and worked selling magazines door-to-door. That didn't work out so well so he returned home and worked at Ralph's Grocery Store as a box boy. He next worked for Nelson's Engraving doing pickup and delivery for them; at a paint store stocking shelves and making deliveries and then at RCA Service Co. in the accounting department. During this time he was attending Columbia School of Broadcasting and met his future wife, Donna. While attending Columbia he was referred to employment at Space Technology Laboratories (STL), later known as TRW.

In 1961 he married Donna Spickler to whom he was happily married for over 57 years. He was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam era serving from 1963 to 1965. He was proud to have served his country and was a member of American Legion Post 496. He returned to TRW and retired in 1996 after 37 years of employment.

Bill was an avid fan of jazz music, especially West Coast jazz, movies of all types and attended the Long Beach Grand Prix every year. He also enjoyed attending the Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts in the Park each summer. Later in life, Bill volunteered at KKJZ Jazz Radio Station, Historical Society of Long Beach, and most recently, Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos. He also found being a 2010 Census worker very interesting!

He was a dedicated family man and some of his happiest times were spent traveling the United States and Canada, family camping, going to the Grand Prix races and attending his grandchildren's activities and school events. He especially enjoyed spending a week with his daughter Diane in Vancouver BC at the Indy Car race and spending a month with his son David driving to and from Alaska in his truck camper with many adventures along the way!

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Donna; son, David (Allison Keith); daughter, Diane (Ron) Green; cherished grandchildren, Justin and Shelby Green and Calder Bayless; sister, Patricia Huffman; brothers-in-law, Paul Spickler and Glen Spickler; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by parents, Ira and Helen Rowden Bayless and a brother, Paul Bayless.

Bill will be remembered as a kind, generous, loving and incredible husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held on May 19, 2019 at 11 AM. Interment will be at Riverside National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Historical Society of Long Beach. (562) 424-2220. www.hslb.org

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401