Bill J. Padgett

1946 - 2016

Bill Joe Padgett was born May 23, 1946 in Anacortes, Washington to Lewis and Erma Padgett.

He is survived by his wife Ethel Padgett; siblings, David Padgett, Judith Pitts, Robert Padgett, Bobbi Bungo, Daniel Padgett and Cindy Peacemaker; children, Christine Huefner, James Goodwin, Lance Padgett, Rusty Padgett, Bobbi Padgett, Tiffany Padgett and William Huefner; grandchildren, Samantha Huefner, Benson Goodwin, Brian Goodwin, Jonathan Huefner, Lily Padgett, Kolten Padgett and Christopher Padgett along with many uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Erma Padgett and siblings Glenda Mackenzie and Michael Padgett.

Bill earned many U.S. Army Awards: Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Stars, National Defense Medal, Two Overseas Bars, Marksman Rifle M-14, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 2 Good Conduct Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After Bill graduated High School in 1964 he enlisted in the United States Army and served for 18 years. His 18 years of service included Logistical Support, Evaluating Logistical Teams, ROTC Program Instructor, ROTC Rifle Team Instructor, Member 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, Officer for the 3rd Training Brigade, Member of the 27th Unit Supply Operations. He also served as a Security NCO & Safety NCO for 3 Battalions & 3 Service Schools.

In October 1982 Bill was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army and began work as a civilian for the Army Communication Command at Fort Dix New Jersey.

In 1976 Bill met his soon to be wife Ethel, they started as co-workers and over the years their relationship grew and in 1986 they decided to tie the knot and get married. In 1984 Bill, Ethel and their 2 children Christine and James packed their bags and moved to Yuba City where they began a new chapter in their life. In this new chapter it included taking in their 4 nieces and nephews, Lance, Rusty, Bobbi, and Tiffany, who they spent the next 20+ years raising them as their own.

In 1986 Bill went to work at the Marysville Employment Office starting out in several different positions before he finally became the Veterans Employment Representative where he worked one on one with thousands of veterans assisting them with filing for benefits, job searches, and even private counseling.

But Bill's service to his fellow Veterans did not stop there, he also became the Chair of Veterans Committee for the California Chapter of IAPES. He also helped found the Central Valley Homeless Veterans Program and the Yuba Sutter Stand Down; these programs over the years have impacted thousands of veterans.

In 2003 Bill and his wife Ethel purchased The Candy Box in Marysville where they continued the same traditions of handmade candy for the past 60+ years.

In 2005 Bill and his wife then took in their grandson William and continued to raise him as one of their own just as they had for the other 6 children.

Bill had many hobbies that he enjoyed over the years such as painting, building toys and birdhouses from wood in his backyard workshop, throwing annual holiday parties for friends and family, and he was also an avid bowler most of his life bowling many tournaments and leagues at various houses including Yuba City Bowl, Beale Lanes and Nu Generation Lanes. He passed his love for the sport on to his children enrolling them all in the local junior bowling program.

Bill continued bowling even from his wheelchair on the Sunday night Reno league with 2 of his children and many longtime friends up until his recent illness.

Bill loved his wife unconditionally and showed it on a regular basis from giant banners on the front of their house to giant hearts on the side of buildings, setting up picnics outside her work and even having it posted on the bowling alley's marquee.

Even during the past few months of his illness, his number one priority was always making sure his wife was taken care of.

Although Bill earned many awards and achievements in his lifetime he never asked to be recognized. Everything he did was from the heart and he always put everyone else before himself. His legacy will carry on in the hearts of all the lives he has touched over his lifetime and he will be dearly missed.

Graveside Services will be held at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California, Friday, June 17, 2016 at 9:00 am.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the family house on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 3:00 pm. Anyone wishing to attend please contact William at 530-713-5691.

Arrangements under the direction of Holycross Memorial Services.

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