“Death is a challenge, it tells us not to waste time, it tells us to tell each other right now that we love each other.” – Leo Buscalia

“Bill” (as his friends knew him) passed away at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake in Clearlake, Calif., on Jan. 22, 2012, following a six-month illness caused by a stroke.

Born Aug. 4, 1933 in Hawaii, he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, and along with his family was transported to the mainland.

Bill grew up in Paso Robles and graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1951. After graduation, he joined the Navy and proudly served his country during the Korean War.

Bill married Anna Santos, and together they had a daughter and a son.

Following their divorce, Bill moved to San Francisco, where he met Harold Riley, his soulmate and domestic partner for 38 years.

The two were married in 2005 in Clearlake, Calif., during the short period of time that same sex marriage was legal in California.

Bill would’ve been proud that on Feb. 7, 2012, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled that the California voter-approved ban on same sex marriage, Proposition 8, violates the United States Constitution. In doing so, they found that the ban “served no purpose, and had no effect other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California and to officially reclassify their relationship and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples.”

Bill worked very hard gathering signatures of voters to encourage them not to vote for Proposition 8.

In 1995, Bill and Harold moved to Lake County and both became political junkies. Together they served on the Lake County Democratic Central Committee and were the founders of the South Lake Democratic Club.

In 2008 they founded the Stonewall Democratic Club-Matthew Sheppard Chapter to serve the lesbian, gay, and bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Community. Bill served as the treasurer up until his death, and was so careful with the group’s money that he became known as “Miser Bill.”

Bill was a whiz at Pac-Man and loved to do crossword puzzles and play computer games. He was filled with love and humor to the moment he slipped away.

He is survived by his spouse of 38 years, Harold Riley; sister, Alberta Richetti of San Miguel, Calif.; daughter, Emily Deakin of Camarillo, Calif.; son, William Brian Berkey III; and granddaughters, Tina and Lisa Deakin.

Rest in peace dear friend, and know that the memories we shared with you will be forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 3, at Clearlake Methodist Church at 3 p.m., 12487 The Plaza, Clearlake Oaks, where Bill and Harold were members.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, 707-994-6417, www.jonesandlewis.com .

James D. Swatts was born in Lafayette, Indiana on Nov. 2, 1936. He passed away on Jan. 29, 2012, from complications after heart surgery.

In 1944, he came to Vallejo, Calif., with his dad Raymond, mother Marie, brother Jerry and sister Juanita in a 1936 Chevrolet. Later in 1946 they moved to Napa, where he lived through his high school years.

In May of 1953, while visiting the big town of Oakville, this Camel smoking, hot roding, 1950s boy of 16 met Doris, a very naive, Seventh-day Adventist Church school girl of 14.

In early 1954, Jim enlisted in the Navy during the Korean conflict. He was discharged in September 1957 and went to work for Pacific Telephone Co.

In November of 1957, Jim and Doris married. They had three children – Brenda, Jerry and Jimmy. In November of 2011 Jim and Doris celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.

In 1964, he transferred to the Santa Rosa area to work and bought a home in Rohnert Park, where he lived with his family for 18 years.

While in Rohnert Park, he became interested in police work. First, he went on ride-a-longs with friends and then joined the police reserves.

Over the next 12 years, he worked his way up to lieutenant and was placed in charge of the police auxiliary dispatchers, the reserve officers and the police explorers, in addition to going to school and working for the phone company.

Two years of this time was spent as a training officer for the Cotati Police Reserves. The Police Explorers earned such a good reputation because of their training that 10 of them, by special invitation, were asked to work security for a benefit dinner where President Gerald Ford was guest speaker.

In 1981, Jim transferred to Lake County as an inspector mechanic for Pacific Bell, purchasing a home in Glenhaven where he lived until his death.

He ran for District 3 supervisor and while walking the district and talking to the people, he learned, among other things, that what most people were concerned about was Clear Lake. It became his passion to do something about it. Thus, the Friends of Clear Lake was formed and for years, he fought unsuccessfully to dredge the lake.

Jim was a member of the United Methodist Church of Clearlake Oaks. While living in Napa, he was a member for several years of the San Pablo Oddfellow Lodge and Past Noble Grand of that Lodge. He was a past member and for several years, the Master of the Clearlake Oaks Grange Hall. He was also a member of the Hartley Masonic Lodge of Lakeport and a member and past President of the Lake County Shriners Club. In addition, he was 1st Vice President of the Lake County NAACP Organization.

Jim was a very caring man. He always had someone calling him for advice or for help of some kind. It didn't matter what it was; if he could help, he did. He always had a pocket full of candy and a truck full of stuffed animals for the children he came across and he always told the parents the toys were from the Shriners Club. In church or wherever he went, they frequently called him “The Candy Man.”

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Marie; brother, Jerry; three sisters; and one granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Doris; daughter, Brenda and her husband, Billy; sons, Jerry and wife, Robin, and Jimmy and wife, Allison; sister, Juanita Schneider and her husband, Bill; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his two puppies.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Clear Lake/Callayomi Masonic Lodge, 7100 South Center Drive, Clearlake.

Arrangements are being handled by Adobe Creek Funeral Home of Petaluma, Calif., www.adobecreekfuneralhome.com.

Phyllis Gernns' life will be celebrated at a memorial on Saturday, January 21, 2012. Courtesy photo.

Phyllis Gernns, having begun life’s adventure on Dec. 22, 1923, and having married her greatest companion on the journey George Gernns on Nov. 15, 1947, has now left this life for the greatest adventure of them all, eternal life in that place prepared for her by her Lord.

In this life Phyllis traveled from the top of the world to the bottom and around it twice! Come and celebrate her journey with us at United Christian Parish (UCP) on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 1 p.m.

Phyllis requested that any memorial gifts or donations be directed to United Christian Parish for the kitchen.

Cremation arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

Longtime Lakeport, Calif., resident, Adele Burriss Grothe, born Feb. 3, 1927, in the Scotts Valley home of her parents, Margaret Marie (Wright) Burriss and Lewis Clyde Burriss, died at her home in Ada, Oklahoma, on Feb. 7, 2012.

She married Franz Daniel Grothe, her high school sweetheart, on June 13, 1945. While Dan was serving in the Army, Dell, 18 years young, took the train to Colorado Springs, Colo., for their wedding.

They had four children: Lewis (Jeep), Trudi, Jenny and Art.

Throughout Dan and Dell’s marriage Dell was a full partner in all their business endeavors. She drove truck when they were homesteading and potato farming in Idaho, hauled pears in Scotts Valley and managed the office during the appraising years.

Her eye for color elevated her quilts to works of art, and she shared her love of cooking with friends far and wide. If her cheese balls were not world famous, they were regionally renowned. Her home was a special place infused with love, and graced by her ability to mix antiques with contemporary influences.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Marie (Wright) Burriss and Lewis Clyde Burriss; her sisters Loretta Ussery and Elva (Jimmy) Knight.

With the death of her son, Lewis Daniel (Jeep) Grothe, killed in action in 1967 in Vietnam, the Army designated her a Gold Star mother.

She is survived by her husband, Dan: daughters, Trudi and Jenny (husband Rick); son Art (wife Janine); six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 High St. Lakeport, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2012, with a reception to follow.

Born Jan. 22, 1936, in his parents' home in Clearlake Park, Calif., Edward Garrison Coll Fitts passed away unexpectedly Jan. 22, 2012, on his 76th birthday.

From an early age, Ed worked with his father at the family business, Fitts & Holmes Boat Shop, selling and repairing Chris-Craft boats. In 1953, at the age of 17, he started working as a backhoe operator for Will Hodges.

In 1956 Ed joined the Lakeshore Volunteer Fireman's Association. He retired as a captain in February 1985. He was also a longtime member of the Clearlake Elks Lodge. Ed became a licensed sewer contractor in 1965, going into business for himself.  He continued to operate his backhoe up until his passing.

Ed loved everything about living in Lake County, especially the lake. From the time he was a child he spent countless hours boating, fishing, hunting, waterskiing, swimming and sailing.

He loved animals, especially his dogs. It wasn't often that he went anywhere without them.

He loved his house on the hill, his cars, his boats and all of the other treasures he acquired over the years. Ed was a kind and generous man who spoke his mind. He lived his life the way he wanted, working hard and playing harder.

Ed leaves behind his two daughters, Kathryn Fitts and Jennifer Fitts; his son-in-law, Corey Ferris; his three granddaughters, Samantha, Julia and Kathryn; his closest nephew, Lee Carmack; his brother, George, and sister, Alvina; his two dogs, Annie and Oscar Jr. (OJ); and many more beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ed had so many friends that he cherished we can not even begin to name them all. But you know who you are and he loved all of you and the time you spent together. Ed will be greatly missed.

A celebration of Ed's life will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at the Lake County Fire Protection District, 14815 Olympic Drive in Clearlake, beginning at 1 p.m. Donations can be made to the Lake County Volunteer Fire Fighter Association in lieu of flowers.

Ed's family entrusted arrangements to Jones & Lewis, Lower Lake, www.jonesandlewis.com.

Joseph Lewkowitz Jr. of Middletown, Calif., died on Jan. 3, 2012. He was 76 years old. Courtesy photo.

Joseph Lewkowitz Jr. of Middletown passed away on Jan. 3, 2012, after a long fight with diabetes and the complications that came with it.

His loving wife and caregiver of 54 years, Clarine, was by his side along with his children.

His survivors include his wife, Clarine; daughter, Vicki Lewkowitz (Paul Moore) of Middletown; son, Joseph Lewkowitz III (Theresa) of South San Francisco; son, Wade Lewkowitz (Christine) of Elk Grove and daughter Sarah Bucini (Craig) of Pacifica. He also leaves eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brothers, Jack and Victor; sisters, Terry, Fran and Darlene.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles.

Joe was born in Silver City, New Mexico, on March 27, 1935, to Joseph Sr. and Sarah Lewkowitz.

He proudly served his country in the US Air Force from 1954 to 1958. After returning, he landed a few different jobs but then became employed by Local 38 Steam-Fitters Union out of San Francisco. He was a proud Union worker and retired after 30 years.

Joe and Clarine moved to Lake County in 1984 and settled in Middletown. Joe found he preferred working to retirement, so he took a position in the Middletown Unified School District. He worked in several positions and was most recently known as “Security Joe.” He retired from the school district in June of 2010.

In his time he was an avid fisherman, hunter and scuba diver. Growing up, baseball was his passion and it took him as far as trying out for the Pittsburgh Pirates as a pitcher. He was a faithful 49er and Giants fan and was a diehard Middletown High School Football supporter. He was a faithful member of the Lions Club, the NRA and was president of the Hobi Hobiknocker Club.

A celebration of life will be held at the Lions Club, 15399 Central Park Road in Middletown on Saturday, Jan. 21, at noon.

His family prefers that any donations in his name be made to the Middletown High School Booster Club or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Middletown.

He will be missed, but his family knows he is up in heaven with a whole new audience to entertain!