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In Memory

Bill Bess

Bill Bess

The Bakersfield Californian, April 16, 1977:  William Lee Bess:

 

Services will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Mish Funeral Home, Oildale, for William “Billy” Lee Bess, 26, of 2012 1/2 Planz Road, who died April 15. Bro. Bill Robinson of the Church of Christ will officiate with interment following in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Mr. Bess, a native of Bakersfield, attended elementary and junior high school in this area and was graduated from South High School in 1968. While in high school he was active in the Boys Glee Club. He was a bass guitarist and lead vocalist for a number of bands after leaving high school, with the most recent the Jimmy Mack Band. As a professional entertainer he has performed in clubs such as the Gold Rush, Blackboard, Barrel House, Trouts, Chateau, and Jack Ranch, and in Nashville. He was under contract with London Records. He is survived by the widow, Linda Sue; a daughter, Kristina, of Bakersfield; parents Claude and Jackie Bess of Bakersfield; 2 sisters, Debbie Smith of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Karen Sue Boesch of Houston, Tex. Pallbearers will be Paul Mack, “Smittie” Paul Smith, Stanley Bess, Wayne Smith, Raymond Jugon and Dwayne Maples. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Knights Motorcycle Club of Southern California.

 
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07/02/18 12:37 PM #1    

Linda Cox (Smith)

He died so young! I had really thought he had been killed in a car accident while in the service though?? I didn't realize he had become an entertainer. 

 


07/03/18 11:43 PM #2    

Charlane Davis (Hicks)

I remember Bill from Greenfield Elementary & Greenfield Youth Baseball. My brother Rick pitched during those years, so our family was avid about attending games. He had the best smile. Although sometimes mischievous, he brings back memories of youthful fun.
I was told he had passed in Vietnam. Linda, if anyone has correct death information, while respectful of family wishes,it would be helpful in stopping misinformation.

07/05/18 09:35 AM #3    

James Reynolds

I remember Billy Bess well from the year I spent at Greenfield.  I’m sure that he participated in the Greenfield Baseball Association (GBA), along with many others that we know — Eugene Walker, Jerry Mason, Walt Topic, Ron Valenti, Mark Garside ( I think).  We were all involved in the initial season of the GBA and the fields were quite rough — consisting of dirt for the most part.  Playing third base was an adventure on those fields.  Billy Bess (I rarely heard his name mentioned without it being the full first and last names) was a decent player out there.  Mischievious is probably as apt a way as any at describing his normal behavior.  He was full of vim and vigor, whatever that means to you.  The part of the obit that caught my attention was his honorary pallbearers.   Does this give us a clue as to how Billy Bess may have died or was it just a social group that he was involved with?  Dying at the age of 27 is far from being a natural occurrence.  If anybody has information about this please let us know.  Billy Bess is gone, but not forgotten, 41 years later.        


07/05/18 03:27 PM #4    

Charlane Davis (Hicks)

Thank you James. Those days were special. I used to catch for my brother Rick, a year younger than myself. He had a ball clocked at over 100 mph & was scouted but, had major surgery from a tennis injury. That ended his pitching career. We lived & breathed baseball during Bakersfield summers. I recognize the talent in all the names you mentioned, because we were there not missing a heart beat. They were good days. I am truly sorry Bill was taken so early in what appeared to be a full life.

07/06/18 09:38 AM #5    

Brenda Edwards (Hackney)

I remember Billy Bess well from Greenfield Jr.High through South High. He was an affable guy with a quick smile and yes, a mischievous way about him. I was unaware he became an entertainer as well. It sounds' as if he lead quite a nice life and it is sad he left it so soon. As with many of of classmates', I would be curious to know what happened to cause home to loose his life at such a young age. May he Rest In Peace.

02/20/19 02:10 PM #6    

James Reynolds


 


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