William Kiwi Killen

William "Kiwi" Killen passed away at his Palm Desert, Calif. home from cancer on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 surrounded by his wife Mary Jo, son Chris, and several close friends. Bill had been diagnosed with cancer in June of 2009. Affectionately called "Kiwi" by his wife MJ and known as Bill by his many friends, Bill enjoyed attending games and cheering for his son Chris who played on the Palm Desert High School football team from 2004-2007. The Killens also spent many weekends and summer holidays at their vacation home in Oceanside. In his Palm Desert neighborhood, friends would often wave or stop by in the evenings to discuss the latest sports news with Bill who always had his favorite four-legged companion, Mars, the family dog, at his side. Born in Bethesda, Md. on January 9, 1950, Bill and his younger brother Robert traveled the world with their parents, the late Evelyn and Col. George W. Killen. As a high ranking Colonel in the U.S. Marines, the family moved frequently from base to base across the globe. As a very young child, Bill lived in Saigon, Vietnam when his parents were stationed there in the early 1950s. He quickly learned French and began to translate for his mother so she could communicate with their French nanny. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, the family was stationed in Guantanamo Bay where their father was the Commanding Officer of the Marine ground force that defended the base. The family was evacuated from Guantanamo during this very critical time but soon returned after President John F. Kennedy negotiated a peaceful resolution. The family was stationed at Camp Pendleton from 1964 to 1967 where Bill graduated from Fallbrook High School, then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, graduating with a Political Science degree in 1972. Bill met his wife MJ in Vail, Colorado and they were married in Carlsbad, California on August 29, 1981. Bill and MJ's son Chris was born on August 14, 1989. Chris is now in his third year of college at California State University, San Marcos and on the college surf team. For the past five years, Bill had been with the Guest Services department at Desert Willow Golf Resort. Prior he was Golf Course Superintendent with Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, Chaparral Country Club, and earlier worked for Sunrise Company in golf course maintenance for Monterey and Rancho Las Palmas Country Clubs. He was a member of the US Golf Course Superintendents Association. Survived by his wife, MJ; and son, Chris, both of Palm Desert; and brother, Robert of Santa Barbara; Bill also leaves behind many dear friends, neighbors and colleagues who will miss his wit, sly humor, and always upbeat, optimistic disposition. A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, August 28, 2010 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Tommy Bahamas Restaurant at the Gardens on El Paseo. Attire is flip flops and beachwear.