Billy Dan Norquist

Billy Dan "Bill" Norquist passed away on October 9 after a brief illness. The only child of Donald and Marie Norquist, Bill was born in Los Angeles but grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, once attending school in the little town of Alma, now under the waters of Lexington Reservoir. As a young boy, Bill and his family moved to the Black Road property, which over time grew into the family compound where he lived with his wife and sons and their families until the time of his death. Bill attended Los Gatos High School and joined the Marines in 1958, serving in Japan and Vietnam before returning to civilian life. Once back in the Bay Area, Bill met Angelene Grasseschi and they married in 1964. Bill and Angie started their family in Almaden but built their own home up on Black Road in 1978. Bill was a jack of all trades. He worked in a variety of construction jobs operating heavy equipment. In 1987 they opened the Norquist Christmas Tree Farm, enjoying the annual tradition of families choosing and cutting their own trees. Bill loved seeing the same families return each year and was always ready with that twinkly smile and the basket of candy canes for the kids. Bill could fix just about anything and loved a good project. Whether it was maintaining all the machinery on the compound or building his granddaughters a doll house, he put time and care into everything he did and demonstrated an incredible work ethic for his children and grandchildren. He had a gruff sense of humor but there was a wink always at the ready. He loved his family, his dogs, his 1931 Model A, tinkering in his shop and "going to town" for a visit to the hardware store or the auto supply (and to sneak some ice cream or sweets he wasn't supposed to have). He taught all of us so much. For more than 61 years, Bill and Angie built a legacy together, both the family compound and the Norquist Christmas Tree Farm. We are so thankful to have reminders of his presence all around us. He will be deeply missed.

Bill is survived by his wife, Angie, and by his sons and their families, Gary, Missy, Owen, Luke and Paul, Charlene, Annika, Ava. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews from Angie's large family that became his own.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church in Los Gatos at 9:30am on Tuesday, October 14. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Veterans programs or Sacred Heart Community Service.