William Everett Klingensmith

William Everett Klingensmith, known as Bill to his friends and family, quietly passed away on January 6, 2024, at age 93.

Bill was born in North Long Beach, on October 17, 1930, to Walter and Edna Klingensmith.  He attended Grant Elementary School, Lindberg Jr High School, and Jordan High School. He continued his education at Long Beach City College and California State University, Long Beach.  His sister Betty preceded him in death.

At 21 years old, Bill went into United States Army to fight in the Korean War.   He became part of the “B” Battery of the 140th infantry division. He was assigned to a half-track mobile gun which had four, fifty caliber machine guns mounted on a turret. Upon arriving, he was immediately assigned to head for “White Horse Mountain” where the 9th Republic of Korea was losing a battle to the Communist Chinese.  He spent 2 years on the front lines fighting in this war.

Upon returning home from the war, Bill worked for Lever Bros., US Steel Corp. and ultimately Tell Steel where he became Executive Vice President until his retirement in 1995. After his retirement he took up faux painting. He had an artistic ability and started a business called “Faux Pa”. He also had a love of culinary art which was highlighted in his barbequing abilities.  He shared that passion and taught his daughters well.

While working for Lever Bros., Bill raced sports cars for 5 years.  His “claim to fame” was defeating world-famous pro race car driver Dan Gurney at Laguna Seca. He netted many trophies for his racing wins.  He went on to race sailboats from Flying Dutchman to his Cal 29, both offshore and long-distance races in Mexico from La Paz to Mazatlán. Many weekend were spent taking his family to Catalina on his boat.  He was a member of Long Beach Yacht Club as well as Alamitos Bay Yacht Club for several decades.

In 1955, during his sports car racing days, he became a lucky lucky man and met the love of his life Mary Kukura. They were married in 1957 and just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in September 2023. Together, they had two beautiful daughters, Lori  and Kelli  who were his greatest joys. His daughters gave him four wonderful grandchildren: Brett (31) and Katie (29) Krehbiel, Sydney Ramirez (25), and William Wyatt Mitchell (18) who lovingly called him “Umpa.” He loved all his grandchildren and beamed each time they visited.

Bill loved to ski and took the family on many skiing vacations to Mammoth, Aspen, Vail, Crested Butte, Telluride, Park City, Bend Oregon.  He also loved to play tennis and enjoyed their condominium that they owned in Indian Wells. Over the years, he and Mary traveled with friends and family to France, Hong Kong, England, Italy, Mexico and Hawaii.

He is survived by his bride Mary, his daughters Lori Klingensmith Wallick and her husband Phil, Kelli Klingensmith Odom and her husband Stephen, his grandchildren Brett, Katie, Sydney and Wyatt, step grandchildren Buz, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Zachary, and nieces Marje (Dwight) Andersen and Diann Labadie.

As we mourn the loss of Bill, we cherish all the amazing memories we have of him. He was always a jokester and made everyone laugh with his infectious smile. His love of Cuban cigars and of course his beloved wine cellar cannot be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations are made to the American Cancer Society which was near and dear to his heart.

His celebration of life will be in the spring at the Boathouse on the Bay in Long Beach. Details to follow.