obituaries
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Rory Steven Willett 01/17/50-07/14/16
Rory Steven Willett, 66, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at The Serenity House in Santa Barbara, CA, on July 14, 2016. Born in Ventura, CA, on January 17, 1950, he is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Barbara Ann, his son Justin Willett (Mandy) of Solvang and his daughter Lisa Fry (Joel) of Vacaville. He leaves behind his brother Michael Willett of Ojai, sisters Rochelle Kempf (John) of Oxnard and Lori Goudeau (Paul) of Santa Maria; his six grandchildren Steven Willett (Lauren) of Ojai, Victoria and Tristan Willett of Grafton, WV, Clay and Maxine Willett of Solvang and Everett Fry of Vacaville, and his three great-grandchildren Juno, Caleb, and Arya Willett of Ojai. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bayard and Melva Willett, his brother Patrick Willett, and his first-born son, Jeffrey Willett. His youth was spent in the serene Ojai Valley, spending most of his childhood hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, running through the orange groves, and surfing at the Rincon. He played tennis, basketball, football, baseball, boxing, and golf. He tried to stay out of trouble, but with two older brothers, that was almost impossible! His love of sports led him to a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, where he met the love of his life, Barbara. They moved back to CA, deciding to make a home in Santa Barbara in 1978, and raised their family in both Carpinteria and Santa Barbara. He was most proud of his son and daughter, who became gifted athletes themselves in the sports of golf and basketball leading to athletic scholarships from the University of the Pacific and University of California Santa Barbara, respectively. As a co-owner of Village Pool Supply, Inc. since 1980, he enjoyed many years of getting to know his loyal customers and always had the gift of gab. An avid golfer for most of his life, and most recently a Men’s Club member of The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang, CA, he spent many wonderful hours enjoying the outdoors. He was a member of the Sandpiper Men’s Club for over 10 years, teaching all of his family to golf, and thoroughly enjoyed his many rounds of golf, playing both competitively and socially. “The Willett Open” occurred on numerous occasions and was followed by a weekend for extended family fun. He enjoyed many family vacations traveling as far as Barbados, Australia, Costa Rica, England, and 16
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France and climbed to the summit of Mt. Whitney with some friends. He was a classic car enthusiast and enjoyed many hours of revving the motor of his ’66 Chevy. His sense of adventure was loved by all! Anyone who knew Rory well enjoyed his great sense of humor and his ability to reach out and make anyone smile. He was outgoing and was often concerned with making the world a better place. He always felt fortunate being a business owner, which allowed him flexibility with family and sports but also the ability to help his employees when a need arose. He was so grateful to have had so many good friends and employees who were a tremendous support during the past few years. He loved Santa Barbara for all its beauty, and he had quite a competitive spirit. He never gave up, and he was always cheering for the underdog! His family would like to thank Dr. Jon Uyesaka and his competent, sincere, and caring staff, Hospice of Santa Barbara, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, The Serenity House, and The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara for all their advice and emotional support throughout his lengthy illness. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send donations to Hospice of Santa Barbara or The Serenity House. A “Celebration of Life” gathering will be held in the Anacapa Room at The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa on Saturday, August 13, from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
true vocation, you see, was to get at the truth and essence of every person he came into contact with. Everything a person did meant something to him, it was all telling. He closely studied the human heart. Guillermo never felt obliged to follow rules or meet anyone’s expectations. There was and is only one authority he acknowledged and honored, that of his Savior, his teacher, his best friend, his guide, Jesus Christ. Guillermo knew that he fell short in many ways, as we all do, and he knew that Jesus loved him anyway, constantly. He shared that love with all of his being. Guillermo desired nothing so much as reunion with God. Guillermo is preceded in death by his mother, Dolores, his two brothers, Jess and Victor, and his nephew Jess Jr. He has family remaining here on earth who miss and love him: his father, Victor; daughter, Dolores Zoila Daniel; granddaughters, Dominique and Isabelle; lifelong friend, Martha Sadler; former wife, Lydia Daniel; sisters Veita, Irene and Stella Daniel (Ruben), and Delena Jo Romero (Sal); 11 nieces and nephews, and his beloved great-nephew Aiden Vazquez. Please join us at Garcia's mortuary, 629 A Street in Oxnard, on Sunday, July 31, at 1:00 p.m. to celebrate Guillermo's life and share memories of him.
Dr. Gretchen Fall Burnett 03/05/40-03/22/16
Guillermo Hector Daniel 01/20/50-07/17/16
Guillermo Hector Daniel was born to Dolores Gandarilla Daniel and Victor Hurtado Daniel on January 20, 1950. He left us on July 17th, 2016. Guillermo (aka Billy) was an artist who created gorgeously detailed leather artwork using only a magnifying glass and the light of the sun. He carved wood, used pencils, pens, tattoo machines — whatever he had at hand when inspiration struck. Though he never referred to himself as a poet, anyone who ever had a conversation or received a letter from him knows that he spun words into gold. Guillermo was one of the most authentic people to walk the earth. You would have recognized him by his slow, deliberate stride and the dime in his ear. He preferred sleeping beneath the night sky to paying a mortgage. He would rather make a true enemy than have a fake friend. He greeted each individual he encountered with sincere interest. He also tested people’s patience like it was his full-time job, poking and prodding metaphorically and literally. His
JUly 28, 2016
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Dr. Gretchen Fall Burnett, 76, of Carpinteria, passed away following a brief illness on March 22, 2016, with family by her side. She was born March 5, 1940, to Mart Robert and Edna Marie Swanson Fall of Seattle. She attended Queen Anne High School and the University of Washington. In 1968, Gretchen married Henry Bowen Burnett, Jr. and moved with him to Marina del Rey, California, where she became an accomplished potter, a craft for which she later became well-known in Santa Barbara. The couple eventually made their home in Montecito, where they lived for 20 years. Gretchen returned to school and earned her doctorate in psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She built a successful practice in Santa Barbara as a psychotherapist, where her clients thrived under her compassionate care. After Hank’s death in 1989, Gretchen moved to Carpinteria, where she quickly fell in love with the community. She was a volunteer with Friends of the Carpinteria Library, as well as an avid student of Spanish and tai chi. In 2014, Gretchen retired from practice and spent time traveling with friends and visiting family on the East
Coast. Gretchen was known for her generous good nature, high spirits, and her compassion for others. She was loved by all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed. Gretchen is survived by her beloved niece Lisa Fall Toler; her aunt, Mina Fall; four Fall cousins: Mina J., Lisa, David, and Stephen; her stepchildren Whiteley Burnett Wheeler, Alicia Adams Burnett, and William Nicholas Burnett II (Nick); brothers-in-law Dr. Bruce Burnett and David Burnett; six step-grandchildren, 12 nieces and nephews, and 24 grand-nieces and nephews. Gretchen was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and her brother, Daniel Fall of Laguna Niguel, California.
discomfort of his illness grew. David never complained of hardship or hurt; he was a fighter to the end. Our hearts ache for his presence; he will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service followed by a reception will be Saturday, July 30, at 2:00 pm at the First Christian Church of Santa Barbara, 1915 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara. All are welcome. I Corinthians 13:4-7
Gustavo Ramirez 08/14/35-07/04/16
David Louis Sever
Our beloved David passed peacefully into the arms of His loving Heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 20 (age 86 years), surrounded by his loved ones. David was a loving husband, father, grand/great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many. He was a gifted engineer, mechanic, craftsman, and gardener. Born second of five children to Louis and Mabel Sever in Los Angeles and raised in Lynwood, CA, David served in Japan during the Korean War as a 1st Lieutenant. He married his dear wife, Velora, (Lorrie) in 1955, and then graduated from USC, after which he and Velora moved to Santa Barbara in 1959. David enjoyed 37 years as a mechanical engineer, 34 of those for EG&G in Goleta. His engineering career and travel with his wife, Velora, took him to many places, in the U.S. and abroad, all of which he enjoyed. David loved the Lord and was active in the First Christian Church of Santa Barbara since 1959, serving in many roles, including Moderator. A Sea Scout himself, he actively mentored his son, Craig, and other boys in YMCA Gray Y, and the Boy Scouts and loved camping with his family in the Sierras. David is survived by his wife, Velora, with whom he enjoyed nearly 61 years of marriage, son Craig (Margie), daughter Tara (Dave), granddaughter Mandi (Jared), grandsons Nate, Ryan (Sarah), Aaron and Ben, and great-grandchildren Kaleb, Savanah, and Reed. David lived and led by example; he was steadfast and strong, gentle and kind, firm in his convictions, always thoughtful of others, and loved his dear wife, Velora, and family greatly. David enjoyed life and looked forward to each day and was always friendly and considerate of those around him, even when the pain and
Gustavo Ramirez was born on August 14, 1935, to Santiago Ramirez and Maria Elena Flores in El Paso, Texas. He was educated in Texas, first relocated to Los Angeles, and then Santa Barbara, CA, early 1950s. He was enlisted in the Army in 1953, Company F, 63rd Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, CA. He was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas then Bamberg, Germany, Army reserve for 8 years with an Honorable Discharge. Gus was extremely proud of his service to his country, wearing fatigues with Army Insignia displayed. Gus was also a member of Laborers International Union for over 50 years. He was happily married to Francisca Hernandez of Goleta in 1958 until her unexpected passing in 1965, leaving two children, Frankie and Lydia. His love and devotion to his children, love of family and friends, and his exuberance for life was unmatched. He was a kind-hearted man who was always willing to help those less fortunate than himself. Gustavo Ramirez is survived by his son Frank and daughter-in-law Christine, daughter Lydia and his two grandsons, whom he was extremely proud of; Michael E. Sanchez and wife Hillary Walent-Sanchez of Cordova, CA; and Nicholas J. Sanchez of Westminster, CO. The family would like to give thanks, love and gratitude to all dear friends and family for all the support. Gus will be interned with his wife Frances at Calvary Cemetery. Services are pending. A Gofundme.com account has been established under Gus Ramirez Memorial Fund.