“Bill, what is your favorite Louis L’Amour book?” If you caught him sitting and the Niners weren’t playing, Bill would be reading. He was well-read on many topics, but his two favorite subjects were history and Westerns. He’d answer, “No favorite. Each is about a hero who gets in a jam, the adventure continues and the same ending – the good guy kills the bad guy and gets the girl.” Like those novels, he too was pretty consistent. If Bill were a book, chapters would include: How can I help, I know somebody, and Oh well, let’s eat.
Free Range Kids – Bill’s roots were in the Comstock and ag country. He was born October 30, 1936 to William Laird and Margaret Lucille of Silver City. Two years later, his sister, Bobbie, was born. Bill attended Silver City School. Life was hard as the rocky ground. People stayed close to home, kids played around the school yard, and abandoned mines were perfect to play cowboys and Indians, and bank robbers pursued by posses.
His father was in the mining business until it slowed, then a grocer with a brief stint in the Navy. Tragically, Bill lost both parents in his mid-teens. His father was paralyzed in a car crash that put him into a wheel chair. Three years later, Bill and his mother were in a bus crash, his mother was killed, and Bill survived with head injuries. His father died two years later. And the Young kids moved to Smith to live with another family.
The sun shined again. Bill met his one and only Ardell at Smith Valley High. They married November 4, 1956, later moved to Carson, and daughter Georgia was born.
Bill loved to explore. He’d tell Ardell he was taking Georgia fishing. They roamed the hills and valleys in the dune buggy. And the rods always came home dusty.
Professional Life – Bill joined Nevada Highway Department (NDOT) in 1956 after a brief engagement with higher education at UNR. He entered as a Draftsman and left thirty-eight years later as head of Maintenance Division. He was instrumental in construction of Interstate 80 and 15 projects – acquiring property right of ways – and later for their maintenance. He helped design the “prospector” license plates – Ardell picked the colors – and the road signs welcomed drivers entering the State.
He served on numerous boards and committees of organizations including State of Nevada Employee Association, credit union and hospital. And he and his best buddy Jack Dossey turned pro with their boating interests by forming and operating Capitol Marine for a couple of years.
Service – He was a member of Amity Lodge since 1961 and enjoyed every minute as a Mason. His project as Amity Master in 1986 was to restore the Lodge (built around 1863). Another dear circle of friends is Eastern Star. Bill and Ardell joined Argenta Chapter in 1988. They served as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron twice. Bill held other positions including Chapter Treasurer and Grand Representative for Grand Chapter. He also served in the National Guard.
Bill was also instrumental on the restoration of the Virginia Truckee Railroad. His right-of-way experience paid dividends as they acquired land for the new rail. He rode in the first car at the grand reopening of the Carson to Virginia City route. Other projects included restoring the Fourth Ward School and building the new Silver City Volunteer Fire Department. Bill was a go-to person for Comstock history.
Family – Bill ran in numerous circles. His friends and colleagues remember his smile, humor, and no matter where you were, he seemed to know somebody. And the center of these circles was family. If you needed help, he was there in a pinch – your jam became his. If you needed encouragement, he was your cheerleader. If you were a chosen one, you had a nickname. And he’d often sit at the kids table for holiday dinner – he was young at heart.
Poppop – Two major life events occurred in 1994. He retired from NDOT and his one and only granddaughter was born. Each was the other’s favorite. Bill chaperoned Samantha’s field trips and she relished her summers with Nana and Poppop.
Bill, like Ardell, rests peacefully after a long fight with Parkinson’s. He is preceded in death by his wife, mother and father. Surviving Bill are his daughter Georgia (Brian), granddaughter Samantha, sister Barbara “Bobbie” (Jack), and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.
The family thanks you for all the love, well wishes and prayers. A special thanks to Dr. Ronald Smith, Karen Marsh, Olivia, the Loving Team at Cascades of the Sierras, Renown Hospice, Walton’s, and his Raving Fans including Les, Bob, Margaret, Bill and Joan, Gene, Pat, Dan and the many others who would check in. And thank you for those who shared their thoughts for this tribute.
Bill and Ardell’s Celebration of Life will be Thursday August 30th at Hidden Valley Country Club starting at 2pm with Masonic and Eastern Star ceremonies, special remembrances, and an open house. Hope you can join us and contact Georgia or Brian as needed. Finally, Parkinson’s is a terrible disease. Please, in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation in honor of Bill and Ardell to Parkinson’s Research at www.MichaelJFox.org or mail to Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, POB 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

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