George William "Bill" Capps

George William "Bill" Capps went to be with the Lord in Visalia, Calif., at age 97. Bill was born to Willis Willard and Eva Coiner Capps and lived his entire life in Exeter, Calif. He graduated from Exeter Union High School in 1943. After graduating Bill enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. While in the Navy, Bill married Jacquelyne Ann Moye on April 9, 1944, at the Exeter United Methodist Church. Bill and Jackie raised their son Rodney together.

He was a small business owner. He owned the C & E Mart in Exeter and was the butcher for the store. Bill knew everyone in town and considered them all to be his friends. After selling C & E Mart Bill did various jobs including being a butcher in Three Rivers, Calif. until he retired at the age of 82.

Bill was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church serving on several committees and singing in the choir. He also was a member of the Exeter Lions Club and served a term as president. He was a member of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and served a term as president. Bill co-founded the Exeter Little League Baseball with Linley Clevenger. Bill was the recipient of the EUHS Alumnus of the year 2000, and he was inducted into the EUHS Baseball Diamond Club. While Bill was in high school he served as student body president his senior year and played football, basketball, baseball, and track. He remained an avid sports fan all his life, especially rooting for the Dodgers and Rams.

His favorite pastime was playing golf. He instilled a love of golf in his son, Rodney. They enjoyed playing together at the Exeter Golf Course, especially after Rod retired and moved back to his home town. Bill was up early and off to the golf course to have a cup of coffee with his friends before he started his game. When Bill gave up driving and couldn't play golf anymore, Rod took him out to the course. Many days he would ride along in the cart with Rod. Bill enjoyed seeing his many friends at the golf course, and even when his hearing went bad, he still wanted to go and see his friends. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

Bill was a man of high Christian moral integrity and serving the community of Exeter was one of his greatest joys only second to his love for his family.

He was predeceased by his wife, Jackie, of 73 years; his brother, Willis Willard Capps, Jr.; and his mother, Eva Amondola.

Bill is survived by his son Rodney and wife Felicia of Exeter, Calif.; grandsons, Jordan Capps of San Diego, Calif., Parker Capps of Lodi, Calif.; granddaughter, Christy Moyer and husband, Rick, of Clackamas, Ore.; and great grandson, Ashton Simpson and wife Ellery of Castle Rock, Wash.

A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2022 at the Church of God of Exeter on the corner of Chestnut and H. A luncheon will follow the service.