Life Tributes for the week of 08/27/19
Billie Doris Killmartin Stovall Harper
Billie was born in Breckenridge, Missouri on Jan. 15, 1944 and passed away suddenly Aug. 12, 2019 in Reno, Nevada. Billie lived most of her life in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara and was in the class of 1962 at Sunnyvale High. She married her childhood sweetheart Rich Stovall and they had two beautiful children Tammy and Timothy. She was a homemaker and later worked for Memorex for many years. We parted as friends in 1979 and stayed in contact for the rest of our lives until her passing. Billie went on to marry Richard Harper.
Billie was preceded in death by her mother and father and very sadly by her son Timothy in 2008.
Billie is survived by her husband, Richard Harper; sisters, Betty, Linda (John) and Karen; daughter, Tammy Muldoon; grandson, Patrick Muldoon; granddaughter, Alana Muldoon (Ean); grandson, Ken Stovall; and great-grandsons, Arthur and Duncan Muldoon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Billie will be missed by all of us, she was a good wife, mother, and grandmother.
Walter Frederick Dandois
Walter Frederick Dandois was born July 3, 1933 in Spokane, Washington to Gladys and Charles Dandois. He was the oldest of three boys, middle brother Paul and youngest brother Charles. His father was a chemical engineer and moved around a lot working in many different mines. Walter would tell stories about living in Telluride, Colorado and how the winters were so rough. In the early 1950s his mother and father left for South American to work in the mines. He stayed back with a family in Oceanside where he graduated high school. He had fond memories of surf fishing and once seeing a hammerhead shark when he was walking on one of the piers.
On June 17, 1953 Walter entered active service in the US Army and served honorably until his separation on May 17, 1955. He enjoyed his time in the army and was a little disappointed he never made it to Germany.
Walter would attend several colleges until he finally settled in at UNR, receiving a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. It was there he met Donna Askins who would become his wife in 1960. With his degree in hand and a teaching credential, he got work teaching at Sparks High. In 1961 came a daughter, Leslie Dandois, in 1964 another daughter, Amy Dandois and in 1966 a son, James Dandois. Walter had a love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He would tell stories of the bucks he got in Nevada, or of hiking in the Sierra Nevadas to fish for golden trout. In 1967 he took a teaching job at Lassen High School in Susanville, California. He would go on to get his masters and teach many subjects, chemistry, physics, math, computer science and even Spanish, retiring in 1989. He had a love for Mexico and the Spanish language, taking many trips to various places even once driving a motor home down the west coast side and coming back through the gulf coast side.
Even after he and Donna divorced, we were able to have family functions with all the grand kids and grandparents attending. We appreciated this as a family and made for some quality holiday time. Walter moved back to Susanville in 2010 after spending 20 years in the Sacramento and Folsom area. He worked for the Sacramento Bee, Home Depot and Walmart during this time. In 2015 he suffered a stroke and upon recovery lived out the rest of his life at Lassen Nursing and Rehabilitation where he received excellent care. Walter passed away peacefully Friday, Aug. 15, 2019 at the age of 86.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Gladys; brother, Charles; daughter, Amy; and grandson, Joseph (Max) Dandois. He is survived by his brother, Paul Dandois; daughter, Leslie Dandois (Dale Beesmer); son, James Dandois (Nicole LoBuglio); granddaughter, Heather Beesmer; grandson, Dylan Beesmer; grandson, Bill Dandois; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers you may donate to the Northern California Cancer Advocates in his name.
Bruce “Uncle Bruce” Greg Scruggs
Bruce “Uncle Bruce” Greg Scruggs, 64, passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 6, 2019 at his home in Westwood, California.
He was born March 25, 1955 to Guy and Lois (Hockaday) Scruggs in Yreka, California. He graduated from Happy Camp High School in 1973.
Growing up throughout the small towns of Northern California as his father traveled to build saw mills for SPI, he developed the love for being outdoors hunting and fishing.
After high school Bruce settled in Hayfork following in his father’s footsteps in the timber industry. This is where he met his wife Carrie who also worked in the mill. After moving to Redding, California they soon had two boys, Nathan and Luke. Here he continued to work in the mill and was surrounded by childhood friends and enjoyed playing softball and basketball.
Later in life he found himself out of the mills and onto the golf course as a greens keeper and finally settled in Westwood, California. Bruce never lost his love of the outdoors, fishing, searching for artifacts or just tinkering around the house.
Most of all Uncle Bruce will be missed by his family and friends, remembered for his kind spirit, willingness to help anyone and his huge heart.
Bruce is survived by his son, Nathan Guy Scruggs, and his wife Lindsey, of Mountain Home, Idaho; and granddaughter Sara; spouse, Carrie Jean Scruggs, of Westwood, California; brother, Thomas Scruggs and his wife Carla, of Burney, California; and nephews Keith and Brad. He has joined his parents; brother, Richard; sister, Galen; and son, Luke Aaron Scruggs in Heaven.