Bill Sanborn

Bill Sanborn
09/17/2015


They called him "Turtle Bill" for his three decades of turtle racing that started at Zack's, a popular watering hole in Sausalito.
Bill James Sanborn of Colfax and Terra Linda died September 17, 2015, he was 73.
His legendary turtles were three-time world champions and six-time American champs from 1976 to 1981, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1979 with a 16.84-second finish by turtle "Sandy" in the 50-foot dash. Sanborn became a celebrity in Canada at the world championship races and was featured on radio and TV shows and in newspaper articles. He trained a stable of nearly 100 turtles that won more than 500 races at Zack's during its heyday.
Sanborn served as race organizer and announcer at Zack's and also ran the turtle races at the Napa Fair from 1969 to 1984 and the Marin County Fair from 1974 to 1979. For 25 years, Sanborn announced the July 4th parade in Colfax. "This town will miss him," said Sanborn's fishing buddy, Al Howlett of Colfax. "I'll miss his little red convertible driving up. We'd just talk and talk and talk. We had a lot of fun."
Born in Grass Valley to William and Emma Sanborn, longtime Colfax residents, Sanborn was graduated in 1960 from Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco. He worked for Sears while attending San Francisco City College. He served in the U.S. Army Federal Reserve from 1961 to 1964, then earned his teaching credential from San Francisco State University and his special education credentials from Sonoma State University.
His teaching career spanned 40 years beginning in 1969 at Dixie Elementary School in San Rafael. "He was one of those teachers you never forget," said former student Myles Miller. "He was an awesome guy."
Sanborn played chess and kickball with his students, taught them ceramics and kept snakes and rats in his classroom.
Sanborn retired in 2008 from the Vallejo Unified District's Everest School after 25 years with learning handicapped students and severely handicapped adults. He volunteered for the Special Olympics and encouraged his students to participate. "He loved his students," said Howlett. "He didn't want to give up teaching."
His daughter, Shelley Skelton and son, Stefan Sanborn follow in his footsteps and both currently work at schools. Shelley an elementary school teacher, remembers going to her father's classroom as a child. "He was always thinking about his students and their well being. He had an amazing amount of patience and kindness when working with his students and spent many late nights working on their educational goals. He wanted his students and his children to be successful and independent."
"Dad believed that every person has something special to share. He was always respectful and kind. He loved us very much and tried to give us all the tools he could to make sure we would find our way in the world. I will miss him beyond words.
"Although not a gifted singer, he always sang Happy Birthday off key to all of us," Shelley said. "He was very excited to have a grandchild and I am grateful that he was able to help celebrate her first birthday, complete with song."
He was proud to be a member of the Elks Club in Auburn and loved his "Taco Tuesdays".
Survivors are wife, Tracy, and son, Stefan, of San Rafael; daughter, Shelley Skelton, and husband, Michael Skelton, of Rohnert Park; sister, Catherine Actis, and husband, Charles Actis of Colfax; brother, Robert Sanborn, and wife, Trina Merriman, of San Francisco; niece, Sandy Garcia, and husband, Kelly Garcia, of Colfax; nephew, Charles "Chip" Actis, of Tracy; great nieces, Kayla Garcia of South Lake Tahoe, and Katie Garcia of Colfax; and granddaughter, Rose Skelton of Rohnert Park.
Donations may be made to WildCare, 76 Albert Park Lane, San Rafael, 94901, or at Special Olympics. org.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Dominic Church in Colfax on April 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.