William Barnes

William Browning Barnes Bill Barnes died peacefully on October 27, 2010 at the age of 86. Born in Monrovia, CA with summers spent in the home his loving granddad and dad built in Laguna Beach, Bill was raised in Palo Alto. During WWII, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was trained as a pilot and worked as an investigator. After graduating from Stanford with a Master's degree in Music, Bill lived in the Bay Area (Palo Alto and San Rafael, and later in Capitola) while continuing his love of flying and developing his career as a private investigator (he had the longest-standing PI license in CA). He was also a piano tuner for over 50 years. Bill lived a full life pursuing his passion in music, his love of horses and trail riding, his interest in prospecting, and his curiosity in geology and minerals. A champion marksman, Bill enjoyed time spent at the pistol ranges in Capitola and Marin County. Bill was well read, well written and well spoken -- a master story teller with a magnetism that drew a crowd, he loved limericks and poems. Bill's brilliance in the delivery of telling jokes and stories moved most to laugh, many to roar (and some to wince). Bill experienced true love after finding his college sweetheart, Barbara, and marrying his "Bebo" 30 years ago. Bill and Barbara moved to Rocklin to be closer to family two years ago. From playing bass in the San Francisco symphony, opera, the Curran theatre and the Glenn Miller Band to playing his cowboy guitar, Bill made an impact. More than for his accomplishments and interests, Bill was admired for being his own person. He loved spending time with his friends, sharing camaraderie, being outdoors at the summer encampments in the Bohemian Grove and playing guitar with the Strollers, as well being with friends at The Family Farm. He enjoyed many years of membership and active participation in the Bohemian Club, The Family, the Palo Alto Club, and countless, unforgettable trail rides with the Frontier Boys, the Rancheros Visitadores, the Sonoma County Trailblazers, and The Shack. Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara Ernest Whistler Barnes, brother Stan, children Emilie, Julie (deceased), Diantha (Pat), Crissi, Vicki and Mark (Natalie), grandchildren, nephews and nieces, and his extended circle of beloved friends. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers that donations be given to an organization/charity of your choice or toward the college education of your own family/friends.