William E. "Bill" Forrest

1928 - 2017

WILLIAM "BILL" E. FORREST Bill was born in 1928 and died on January 1, 2017 in Issaquah, WA. His parents were Dorothy Morton Collins and George E. Forrest, and stepfather Cyril F. Collins. Bill had one brother, Thomas Collins, who died in 1966. Bill attended school in Eureka and Fortuna, graduating from Fortuna High School in 1945. He had fond childhood memories of spending time with family in Dyerville, feeding the ducks with his Granddaddy Morton at Sequoia Park in Eureka, playing basketball in high school, and learning auto mechanics while working at local gas stations and repair shops. He entered the Army Air Force in 1946, serving as a radio operator and mechanic on C54 cargo planes. He was assigned to the Pacific Theater and was later transferred to the European Theater and participated in the Berlin Airlift. He met Doris Farmer at a roller skating rink while stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Fairfield, MT and they married in 1949. After an honorable discharge from military service, Bill completed training as an electronics technician at the Alameda Naval Air Station, and moved back to Fortuna to start his career as a telecommunications technician with the State of California. He worked 37 1/2 years with the State Communications Division, and volunteered another 3 years after 'retiring.' His work involved maintaining and repairing communications equipment on mountain tops, under bridges, and various remote microwave towers around Humboldt and Del Norte counties. In addition, he operated a part-time television and radio repair business from his home. Bill often provided services for local fire and police departments, and was well respected for his technical expertise. Bill and Doris raised six children, and provided a second home and unforgettable vacation memories for numerous grandchildren. They enjoyed camping and traveling, and took the family on several cross-country adventures. Summers were spent picnicking in the redwood groves along the Avenue of the Giants, swimming in the Eel River, enjoying the beaches of Humboldt County, and traveling to visit children and grandchildren. Bill was a long time volunteer at the Fortuna Skating Rink at the Firemen's Pavilion, giving over 30 years of service and was formally recognized by the Fortuna City Council in 2009 and again in 2013. Many of his grandchildren felt the skating rink was their second home. He enjoyed the sporting and musical events of his children and grandchildren, and in his later years attending the roller derby in Eureka. Bill loved apple fritters, ice cream and cookies. He was a quiet man with a dry wit, generous and hardworking. He made many friends throughout the years. He was very proud to be a veteran of the US Army Air Force. He was much loved and will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Bill was predeceased by his loving wife, Doris, in 1998. He is survived by his six children David (Tallene) Forrest, Arleen Young, Barbara (Ken) Sears, Cindy (Tony) Ross, Jim (Alesa) Forrest, and Carolyn (Greg) Peterson, and cousin Susan Torrell. Bill has 32 grandchildren and 43 1/2 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 14 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 1444 Ross Hill Road in Fortuna, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take your children roller skating or your family on a picnic. Arrangements under the care of Gobles Fortuna Mortuary. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com