William R. Douthat

William R. Douthat, "Bill," has officially moved into the Fab Shop in the sky on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.

Born in Ripplemead, VA, Bill's long and storied life was one for the books, or at least for a really entertaining afternoon of stories.

Bill was drafted during the Korean War and served as a Corporal in the Army Corps of Engineers, ultimately stationed at Camp Beale, Beale Air Force Base.

In 1955, he sharpened his plumbing skills at Frank M. Booth, Inc. and joined the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 228 as a Journeyman Plumber.

By 1964, he had climbed the ladder to become the Business Manager, an elected position he held for 28 years until retiring in 1992.

Along the way, he also exercised his union influence as a seven-time delegate to the United Associations General Convention.

Bill was a proud member of the Marysville Elks Lodge where he was an award-winning Chili Cookoff Champion at the Annual Bean Feed, rubbed elbows at the Yuba City Moose Lodge, cracked jokes with the E Clampus Vitus, Clampers, and swung a mean driver at Peach Tree Golf & Country Club.

He was a legendary character, a man who took pride in being squeaky clean, superbly aging, 94 years young, and quick with a quip. Whether solicited or not, his helping hand and zingers were always on call.

Bill's surviving crew includes his daughters, Terri Sparks and Karen McKinney (Kurt Macho); grandkids, Kelly Stahl (Tom), Julie Sepulveda (Craig), Joseph McKinney (Amber) and Courtney Fuller (Carl Jr.); and great-grandkids, Reese Stahl, Dylan Stahl, Kasen McKinney, Zachary Sepulveda, Cameron Amos, Elizabeth Sepulveda, Conor McKinney, and Colin McKinney; sister in-law, Joanne Douthat; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He's now reunited with his better-half, of 66 years, Donna Douthat; his parents, William B. and Nanny Douthat; along with siblings, David Douthat, Dorothy Allen, Sarah Jones, Forest Douthat, and Nancy Firebaugh.

A big, heartfelt thank you goes to the incredible teams who made his final days comfortable, Sunny, Amparo, and Chris at Sutter Care at Home, and Julie from Acticare Veterans Affairs. Your care was life-changing for Bill and the family.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 11 AM at Local Union 228, 21 E 10th St, Marysville, CA 95901.