William Francis Pringle Jr.

1955 - 2010

William Francis Pringle Jr., who lived in Simi Valley for more than four decades, died Nov. 12, 2010 in San Jose after suffering a series of health problems. Billy was 55.

He was father of Nicholas and Amy of Simi Valley, Corrine of Thousand Oaks, and Melissa of Burbank. His first grandson, Charles William Pringle, was born in Simi Valley a week after Billy passed away. Billy's mother, Adrienne Davenport, is a retired Simi Valley School District teacher. His father, William Sr., a Veterans Administration retiree, died in 2004. The family misses Billy very much and will always remember his keen intellect and sharp wit, his passion for music and good times, and his many years of service to his country and the nursing profession.

Born May 3, 1955 in Hazleton, Pa., Billy was the oldest of five siblings. The family settled in Simi Valley in 1963. With his father and younger brother Paul, Billy made the move from Pennsylvania to California by bus. His mother, sister Patrice and brothers Michael and Peter joined them shortly after. Billy was a 1973 graduate of Royal High School, where he performed in theatrical productions such as Bye Bye Birdie. He also played clarinet in a number of school bands and orchestras.

At 19, Billy enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He spent most of his four-year hitch in San Antonio, Texas, and later served as a reservist. Billy remained proud of his time in uniform to the end of his days.

After the Air Force, Billy dabbled in a variety of occupations before finding his calling as a registered nurse. He worked in several emergency rooms, including at Northridge Hospital Medical Center where he was on duty during the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. His actions to help treat those injured in the quake were prominently featured in a Los Angeles Times story.

He was the ex-husband of Linda Clarke, of Simi Valley, the mother of Corrine and Melissa. His former longtime companion, Cindy Luce, also of Simi Valley, is the mother of Nicholas and Amy.

Billy had his share of setbacks and low points, but they never diminished his engaging sense of humor and his insatiable curiosity about the world around him. He continued to strike up friendships wherever events led him and was rarely without a good novel or history volume in his hands. Toward the end, he embraced Facebook and signed off his messages Peace Man. Rest in Peace, Billy.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley.