William Oliver Phegley, Jr. was born January 23, 1927, died November 7, 2015 in Rancho Mirage, California from cancer. William “Bill” was raised in Los Angeles by his parents, Lila Mae Blackstock and William Oliver Phegley, Sr. At seventeen, he convinced his father that he had to make his contribution to the war effort as most in the United States did in those days, and like his sister, chose the Navy as his service preference. He was assigned to a Jeep Carrier and served his time in the Pacific theater.
Following the war, he owned sprint race cars and traveled the US with his racing team. Because of his looming stature (he was six foot six), Bill was unable to race the car himself. He met and married Mildred Juanita Moss and adopted her daughter, Cathy Lynne. They ran a custom drapery business until the early sixties when he worked with his brother-in-law, Bernard Barber, painting new construction homes. With that business waning, Bill went to work with Home Savings. Bill retired from Home Savings of America in 1992 after a successful 35 year career. He began as a branch manager responsible for the home loan production, then moved up the corporate ladder where he was instrumental in the growth and success of the company.
At his height, he was more like a praying mantis folding into the Volkswagon “Bug” Home Savings assigned him for his first role with them. The whole Bank turned out onto the parking lot to see how he was going to fit himself into the iconic car. His head barely clearing and his legs folded tightly, he proceeded to pile the miles on all over the state. Prior to his retirement, Bill was promoted to District Supervisor where he managed the Western half of the United States for approximately five years.
Bill was known for his easygoing manner and quick smile. He and “Nita” took up dancing with a group of close-knit friends which found them traveling and dancing everywhere until her passing in 2007.
As sometimes happens to the lucky few, after losing both their spouses, Wilma Mae Kimble and Bill reconnected from their dance group and became husband and wife on February 14, 2010. Enjoying good health, they continued their love for travel and made and met with friends all over the world.
Besides his parents, Bill was predeceased by his sister and her husband, Virginia Phegley and Bernard Barber. He is survived by: his step-daughter, Cathy Phegley, his wife, Wilma Phegley, his step-daughter, Janice Hulse, and her sons: Austin Hulse (wife Kelsey), and Sean Hulse and her daughter, Shelby Hulse, step-son, Griffith Kimble (wife, Maria) and their girls, Regina and Sabrina Kimble. He is also survived by his nephew, Richard Barber (wife Barbara) and their daughter, Megan Barber, and his niece, Lynne Orloff (husband Kenneth).
Donations may be made to: Golden Heart Ranch, a lifelong community for young adults with special needs, at 703 Pier Avenue b194, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
Services will be on Saturday, November 21 at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 600 S. 3rd Street, Hamilton, with the Rev. Richard Reynolds officiating.